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Blood donors who are Black play a critical role in helping people with sickle cell disease, the most common genetic blood disease in the U.S. Patients with the disease may rely on regular blood transfusions throughout their lives to help prevent sickle cell complications, such as organ and tissue damage, pain, and strokes. It is essential that the blood they receive be the most compatible match possible, which generally comes from someone of the same race or similar ethnicity. Since sickle cell disease primarily affects people who are Black and African American, people with sickle cell disease really need donors from these groups.
African Americans make up 13% of the U.S. population, but only 1% of blood donors. Today, there aren’t enough African Americans donating to help meet this urgent need. By donating blood, 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. Your single blood donation may even help save more than one life!
Donating blood is a safe process and essential service. Patients, especially those with sickle cell disease, need donors now more than ever. In 2020, the Red Cross implemented rigorous safety protocols to ensure the safety of everyone at our blood drives including temperature checks, social distancing between donation beds and waiting and refreshment areas and requiring face coverings for everyone at our drives and donation centers. The Red Cross adheres to the highest standards of safety and infection control.
An antigen is a substance on red blood cells. These antigens may be proteins, carbohydrates, glycoproteins, or glycolipids, and they determine your blood type. The four main blood types are A, B, O and AB. There are more than 600 known antigens, and some are unique to specific racial and ethnic groups. For example, many African Americans and people of African descent have rare blood types, such as types U negative and Duffy negative.
Additionally, about half of African Americans have type O positive blood, which is the most transfused blood type in the United States. Type O positive blood is one of the first types to run out during a shortage due to high demand, which is why O positive donors of all backgrounds are always needed to maintain a healthy blood supply.
Some patients require an even closer blood type match than the main blood types. In fact, a person with sickle cell disease may need a precise pairing with a blood donor, especially if frequent transfusions are necessary. If a patient receives a transfusion of a blood type that is not an exact match, they will form antibodies against the mismatched antigens. If the patient receives another transfusion that contains those same antigens in the future, the ensuing complications could lead to death.
People of any ethnic background can suffer from debilitating conditions related to blood disorders. Sickle cell disease is one of those conditions.
Sickle cell disease is the most common genetic blood disease in the U.S. An estimated 100,000 people in the U.S. are living with sickle cell disease. Most patients with sickle cell disease are Black or African American. In fact, the disease affects 1 of every 365 Black or African American babies born in this country.
Sickle cell disease causes red blood cells to be hard and crescent-shaped instead of soft and round. As a result, it is difficult for blood to flow smoothly and carry adequate oxygen to the rest of the body, which may lead to severe pain. Blood transfusion helps relieve pain during a crisis and prevent other complications by increasing the number of healthy red blood cells in the body, helping to deliver oxygen throughout the body and unblock blood vessels.
Some patients who experience more severe symptoms from the disease may require monthly blood transfusions to replace their sickled red blood cells with healthy red blood cells. Donated blood is the only source for this treatment. You can help patients. Make an appointment to donate blood.
People of any ethnic background can suffer from debilitating conditions related to blood disorders. Sickle cell disease is one of those conditions.
Sickle cell disease is the most common genetic blood disease in the U.S. An estimated 100,000 people in the U.S. are living with sickle cell disease. Most patients with sickle cell disease are Black or African American. In fact, the disease affects 1 of every 365 Black or African American babies born in this country.
Sickle cell disease causes red blood cells to be hard and crescent-shaped instead of soft and round. As a result, it is difficult for blood to flow smoothly and carry adequate oxygen to the rest of the body, which may lead to severe pain. Blood transfusion helps relieve pain during a crisis and prevent other complications by increasing the number of healthy red blood cells in the body, helping to deliver oxygen throughout the body and unblock blood vessels.
Some patients who experience more severe symptoms from the disease may require monthly blood transfusions to replace their sickled red blood cells with healthy red blood cells. Donated blood is the only source for this treatment. You can help patients. Make an appointment to donate blood.
Hemoglobin is a protein in your body that contains iron and carries oxygen to organs and tissues throughout your body. Healthy hemoglobin ranges differ by gender and race. The average healthy range for men of all races is 13.5 to 17.5g/dL. For women of all races, the average healthy range is 12.0 to 15.5g/dL. African American men and women will have a healthy range that varies by 0.7g/dL at the low end of the range. Data shows that Black or African American donors are more likely to be asked to wait to donate due to low hemoglobin levels. However, low hemoglobin levels does not necessarily prevent a donor from giving blood. Eating healthy and iron rich-foods prior to donation can help ensure a successful donation experience. Learn more about iron and blood donation.
Prior to donating blood, all donors will receive a free health screening. The information from this health screening may provide import insights into your health status. You can track your pulse rate, blood pressure and hemoglobin level over time through our free Blood Donor App. The free health screening includes:
Now that you know how your blood type can help recipients, please schedule an appointment to donate today.