Media contact: Keith Paul
Regional Communications Director
keith.paul@redcross.org | 702-400-7680
SALT LAKE CITY (Sept. 22, 2022) — The American Red Cross of Utah is teaming up with Rep. Sandra Hollins this Saturday, Sept. 24, at the Afro Utah Festival to highlight the need for compatible blood donors in the treatment of sickle cell disease.
“One in three African American blood donors is a match for people with sickle cell disease,” said Rep. Hollins, who will be volunteering at the Red Cross table at the festival. “We need more donors who are Black to give blood to help those in our community who are suffering from sickle cell.”
The Afro Utah Festival is Saturday from 1-9 p.m. at the Gallivan Center, 239 S. Main Street. The event provides Black, African, and Black immigrants the opportunity to share their culture, pride, and heritage with others.
“The festival is also an opportunity to educate the community about sickle cell and the importance of blood donation in the treatment of the disease,” said Michael Smauldon, Executive Director of the American Red Cross of Northern Utah Chapter, who will speak at 4 p.m. on the main stage.
“Sickle cell disease distorts soft, round blood cells and turns them hard and crescent-shaped, which can cause severe pain,” Smauldon said. “Transfusions provide healthy blood cells, unblocking blood vessels and delivering oxygen, minimizing the health emergencies patients with sickle cell may face.”
Sickle cell disease impacts more than 100,000 people nationwide, most of whom are of African descent. And regular blood transfusions are critical to managing the extreme pain and life-threatening complications faced by many. In addition, people with the disease can develop an immune response if they don’t receive donor blood closely matched to their own. “Most individuals who are Black have unique structures on their red blood cells that are not often found in other donor populations, making them the ideal donors for sickle cell patients,” Smauldon explained.
The American Red Cross of Utah is partnering with community leaders including Rep. Hollins and organizations such as the NAACP Salt Lake City Chapter, Salt Lake City Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and GK Folks Foundation, a nonprofit group organizing the Afro Utah Festival, to create awareness in the community for sickle cell disease.
“Not only must we commit to improving the lives of those living with sickle cell disease,” Hollins said. “But our government must also address existing health care disparities and improve access to health care.”
Testing for sickle cell trait
The Red Cross screens all blood, platelets, and plasma donations from self-identified African American donors for the sickle cell trait. This additional screening provides Black donors with added health insight and helps the Red Cross identify compatible blood types more quickly. Donors can expect to receive sickle cell trait screening results, if applicable, within one to two weeks through the Red Cross Blood Donor App and the online donor portal at RedCrossBlood.org.
About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members, and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.