INDIANA — When patients living with sickle cell disease face a sickle cell crisis, blood transfusions can make a lifesaving difference. That’s why the American Red Cross has launched an initiative to grow the number of blood donors who are Black to help patients with sickle cell disease, an enduring and often invisible health disparity in the U.S.
More than 100,000 people in the U.S. have sickle cell disease, the most common inherited blood disorder, and the majority of patients are of African descent. Despite the discovery of the disease more than a century ago, there have been fewer health resources available to help those currently suffering from sickle cell crises in comparison to similar diseases. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people with sickle cell disease experience worse health outcomes than comparable diseases.
A closer blood match leads to better outcomes
Many patients with sickle cell disease will require regular blood transfusions to help manage their disease. Unfortunately, these patients may develop an immune response against blood from donors that are not closely matched to their own.
Many individuals who are Black have distinct markers on their red blood cells that make their donations ideal for helping patients with sickle cell disease. More than half of blood donors who are Black have blood that is free of C, E, and K antigens – making them the best match for those with sickle cell disease.
The Red Cross asks members of the Black community to join in helping to address this health disparity and meet the needs of patients with sickle cell disease. Donors can take action today by scheduling a blood donation appointment at RedCrossBlood.org, by downloading the Blood Donor App, or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS. To help tackle the need for blood in September – Sickle Cell Awareness Month − all donors who come to give with the Red Cross Sept. 13-30 will receive a limited-edition football-themed T-shirt, while supplies last.
Life-threatening complications
Sickle cell disease distorts soft, round blood cells and turns them hard and crescent-shaped, which can cause extreme pain. When hardened, the cells can get caught in blood vessels, potentially leading to stroke and organ failure.
“Transfusions provide healthy blood cells, unblocking blood vessels and delivering oxygen,” said Chad Priest, CEO of the American Red Cross of Indiana. “By increasing the amount of closely matched blood products, the Red Cross is able to help ensure the right blood product is available at the right time for patients facing a sickle cell crisis – minimizing complications for those with rare blood types fighting sickle cell disease.”
Every transfusion counts
Fort Wayne native Joshua Jank was born with sickle cell anemia. At the young age of five, Josh had a number of small strokes. Without a routine of monthly blood transfusions, additional strokes would lead to disability and death for someone with sickle cell.
From ages 5 to 19, Josh received more than 400 units of blood from people willing to make a difference in the lives of others by donating blood. Josh has lived stroke-free enjoying his childhood and living a life free of pain and other sickle cell complications thanks to generous donors. Josh and his family hosted a Red Cross blood drive back in July to bring awareness to how significant blood donations are to those who are battling sickle cell anemia.
“Josh has enjoyed a quality of life made possible by the dedication and generosity of others who were willing to hit pause, visit a blood drive, and give the gift of life. Nothing beats that,” said Brenda Jank, Joshua’s mother.
Community partners lending support
Partnerships with national and local organizations within the Black community are critical to building trust, sharing information, and working together to engage new donors to help save lives.
Nationally, the Red Cross is thrilled to announce new partnerships with preeminent organizations like the NAACP and 100 Black Men of America, Inc. to raise awareness about sickle cell disease as a persisting and heartbreaking health disparity, and to help patients with sickle cell disease by encouraging blood donations from individuals who are Black.
Locally, the Indiana Region of the American Red Cross of Indiana is partnering with 100 Black Men of Indianapolis, Inc. to help amplify the message of the need for more diverse blood donors.
Upcoming local blood donation opportunities Sept. 14-30:
Daviess County
Odon
* 9/22/2021: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Crane, 13598 East WestGate Drive
Dubois County
Ferdinand
* 9/20/2021: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Sisters of St. Benedict, 802 East 10th Street
* 9/24/2021: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., YMCA-Ferdinand, 131 East 16 Street
Huntingburg
* 9/14/2021: 3 p.m. – 7 p.m., VFW Post 2366, 314 Geiger Street
Jasper
* 9/16/2021: 10:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Norris, Blessinger & Woebkenberg Orthopaedics, 1900 Saint Charles Street
Saint Anthony
* 9/21/2021: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., St Anthony Community Center, 4665 South Cross Street
Spencer County
Dale
* 9/27/2021: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Lincoln Heritage Public Library, 105 North Wallce Street
Saint Meinrad
* 9/16/2021: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Saint Meinrad Archabbey, 200 Hill Drive, Santa Claus
* 9/28/2021: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Santa Claus United Methodist Church, 351 North Holiday Boulevard
Blood drive safety
Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center follows the highest standards of safety and infection control, and additional precautions – including face masks for donors and staff, regardless of vaccination status – have been implemented to help protect the health of all those in attendance. Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at the drive.
Health insights for donors
At a time when health information has never been more important, the Red Cross is screening all blood, platelet, and plasma donations from self-identified African American donors for the sickle cell trait.
This additional screening will provide Black donors with an additional health insight and help the Red Cross identify compatible blood types more quickly to help patients with sickle cell disease who require trait-negative blood. Blood transfusion is an essential treatment for those with sickle cell disease, and blood donations from individuals of the same race, ethnicity, and blood type have a unique ability to help patients fighting sickle cell disease.
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.
How to donate blood
Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1- 800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. 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 in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), 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 and platelet donors can 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, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.
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 not-for-profit 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.
