Guiding Light Church to host largest minority blood drive in Alabama

Red Cross partnership with religious groups encourages community
to give blood in honor of Sickle Cell Awareness Month

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (Sept. 9, 2019) — September is National Sickle Cell Awareness Month and the American Red Cross and Guiding Light Church have teamed up to host a special blood drive aimed at raising awareness of sickle cell disease. Volunteer donors are invited to give blood Sunday, Sept. 22 from 7:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. at Guiding Light Church, 1800 John Rogers Dr. in Birmingham. Walk-ins are welcome. Presenting donors will receive a free Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last.

Since 2011, Guiding Light has collected hundreds of donations of lifesaving blood and dedicated themselves to educating the community on the importance of minority blood donation for minority patients. “Every blood donation is important and maintaining a diverse blood supply is a priority to the Red Cross because of its importance to patients,” said Ronnika A. McFall, external communications manager of the Red Cross Alabama and Central Gulf Coast Blood Services Region. “Diverse blood donors may have the unique ability to help patients with different illnesses or inherited diseases – for example, those with sickle cell anemia.”

In honor of National Sickle Cell Awareness Month, the Red Cross encourages eligible donors to help ensure a stable and diverse blood supply by giving blood. Sickle cell anemia is the most common form of sickle cell disease - a serious disorder in which the body makes abnormal crescent shaped red blood cells. Blood transfusions from donors of the same ethnic background can reduce the risk of complications and help alleviate some symptoms of severe sickle cell disease.

Those who come out to give blood or platelets Sept. 1-30 will receive a coupon for a free haircut via email several days after their donation. The coupon is valid through Nov. 11, 2019, at participating Sport Clips locations. Donors must have a valid email address on record to receive the coupon.

How to donate blood

For more information and to make an appointment to donate, download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) sponsor code: GuidingLight. Donors of all blood types are needed. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental consent in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

Blood donors can now save time at their next donation by using RapidPass to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, prior to arriving at the blood drive. To get started and learn more, visit RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass and follow the instructions on the site.

About the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

_{*Offers and items are non-transferable and are not redeemable for cash. Items are available while supplies last.}