Blood Drive

September is Sickle Cell Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness and take meaningful action to support individuals and families affected by the disease. Approximately 100,000 people in the U.S are living with sickle cell disease. Sickle cell disease disproportionately affects the Black community, occurring in approximately 1 out of every 365 Black or African American births in the United States, according to the CDC.

Although this blood drive is open to everyone, we strongly encourage Black and African American donors to participate. Patients living with sickle cell disease often need blood transfusions throughout their lives, and closely matched blood can help reduce the risk of transfusion-related complications. If a patient receives a transfusion of a blood type that is not a close match, they may form antibodies against the mismatched antigens. Black or African American donors are nearly three times more likely than donors of other racial or ethnic groups to provide the blood matches most commonly needed by sickle cell patients, according to the American Red Cross.

Even if you are not of African descent, your donation can bring hope, healing, and strength to patients and families who are counting on us. Every donation matters and can have a ripple effect that touches many lives. By giving blood, you are not only raising awareness but also providing a lifesaving resource to those who need it most.