Our Blood Drive

• In the U.S., it is estimated that over 100,000 people have sickle cell disease — most whom are of African descent and will require regular blood transfusions to help manage their disease. 
• Sickle cell disease distorts soft and round red blood cells and turns them hard and crescent shaped, which can cause individuals to experience extreme pain, tissue and organ damage, acute anemia and even strokes. 
• A single patient with sickle cell disease may receive up to 100 pints of blood each year, just to ensure survival. 
• Individuals with sickle cell disease can require frequent blood transfusions throughout their lifetime to treat complications of their disease.

• Many individuals who are Black have unique protein structures on their red blood cells that make their donations the most compatible blood to help patients with sickle cell disease.
• Today, donors who are Black make up less than 4% of Red Cross blood donors, making it difficult to ensure the right blood product is available at the right time for patients. 
• The Red Cross is working to increase the number of closely matched blood products available for patients with sickle cell disease by significantly increasing the number of Black donors who are most likely to provide that closely matched blood donation.

• Blood Program Leaders are needed to help raise awareness and inspire members of the Black community to donate and host blood drives.
• By hosting a blood drive program, you may make a difference in the lives of patients with sickle cell disease as well as moms with complicated childbirths, people fighting cancer, accident or trauma victims being raced to emergency rooms, and more.
• Organizations and businesses within the Black community are urged to host blood drive programs to help provide convenient locations for friends and family to donate.

Learn more about Sickle Cell disease»