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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, severe 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. Today, there aren’t enough blood donors to help meet this urgent need. African American individuals make up 13% of the U.S. population, but less than 3% of blood donors. 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 an essential service. Patients, especially those with sickle cell disease, need donors now more than ever. The Red Cross has implemented rigorous protocols to ensure the safety of everyone at our blood drives including enhanced disinfection measures for all surfaces and equipment, and social distancing between donation beds and waiting and refreshment areas. Additionally, for the safety of our donor community, the Red Cross has updated its pandemic safety protocols in alignment with CDC and OSHA guidance. Fully vaccinated individuals including staff and blood donors will no longer need to wear masks or socially distance beginning May 21. Unvaccinated individuals will continue to be required to wear masks and socially distance. The Red Cross will adhere to more stringent face mask requirements per state and/or local guidance or at the request of our blood drive sponsors. For more information, please see our updated FAQs.
An antigen is a substance on red blood cells and helps to 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 American individuals and people of African descent have rare blood types, such as types U negative and Duffy negative.
Additionally, about half of the African American population has type O positive blood, which is the most transfused blood type in the U.S. 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 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 a close match, they may form antibodies against the mismatched antigens. To help avoid transfusion-related complications, a patient is more likely to find the most compatible blood match from a donor of the same race or similar ethnicity.
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 African American or of African descent. In fact, the disease affects 1 out of every 365 African American babies born in this country.
Sickle cell disease causes red blood cells to be hard and crescent-shaped (like a sickle) 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 result in severe pain, stroke, and organ damage. 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. Blood donors who are Black have the unique ability to help patients with sickle cell disease who rely on blood transfusions.
People with one sickle cell gene and one normal gene have the sickle cell trait. Most people with sickle cell trait do not experience symptoms of the disease. However, in some rare cases, people with the trait may experience symptoms of sickle cell disease, such as pain crises.
Approximately one in 13 Black or African American babies is born with the sickle cell trait. If both parents have the sickle cell trait there is a 50% chance that a child of theirs will also inherit the sickle cell trait. If both parents have the trait, there is a 25% chance that a child of theirs will have sickle cell disease. There’s also a 25% chance that a child of theirs will have neither sickle cell disease nor sickle cell trait.
If you have the sickle cell trait, you are still eligible to donate blood. Your blood donation is needed to help people with complicated childbirths, those battling cancer, people with chronic health conditions such as heart disease, those with traumatic injuries from accidents and many more.
Hemoglobin is a protein in your body that contains iron and carries oxygen to your organs and tissues. 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 may have a normal, healthy hemoglobin level that is closer to the lower end of that range. Data shows that blood donors who are Black are more likely to be deferred due to low hemoglobin levels. This deferral is temporary and is to help protect the health of both the donor and the recipient.
If you are donating for the first time and your hemoglobin is low, the Red Cross recommends that you consult with your healthcare provider to see if taking an iron supplement or a multivitamin with iron is right for you. Eating a healthy diet with foods rich in iron can help support a positive donation experience.
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. This free health screening is a part of every blood donation.
When you arrive for your blood donation, a Red Cross staff member will check the following:
After each blood donation, your unit will be sent to our labs to undergo the following:
Now that you know how your blood type can help recipients, please schedule an appointment to donate today.
*Learn more about sickle cell trait screening.