American Red Cross Diversity blood drive aims to help sickle cell patients

The Southeast Mississippi chapter of the American Red Cross is set to host a blood drive this weekend to raise awareness for a disease not well known to many people.

At the American Red Cross, they are gearing up for the first ever diversity blood drive on Saturday in support of individuals suffering from sickle cell disease. “The American Red Cross started a sickle cell initiative to help get the black communities more involved in donating blood because one in every three African Americans is a match for a blood donation for sickle cell patients.”

The drive is set to run from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the American Red Cross Gulfport Office. Sickle Cell Community Advocate Brandy Morgan says over 100,000 individuals are affected by the disease in the U.S. “And the majority of them will require frequent blood transfusions up to, about I think, 100 units per patient per year.”

The disease primarily affects members of the African American community with one in 600 individuals impacted. Morgan shares more on combating the stigma minorities may face while donating blood. “I would say next to African Americans would be Hispanics and they are about one in 1 in 16,000 affected and there’s also Mediterranean, Asians, and Caucasians that can be affected. My best suggestion is to look away when they’re doing it. Honestly, one pint of blood could save lives. So, when you’re sitting there and you’re in that chair, just think about how many lives you’re saving. It takes you less than two minutes to donate blood and that two minutes is saving three lives.”

Blood donations this weekend will also assist non-related sickle cell patients.