Help Ease Patient Pain During Sickle Cell Awareness Month

September 8, 2022

Kansas— During Sickle Cell Awareness Month in September, the American Red Cross emphasizes the importance of a diverse blood supply to help meet the needs of those with sickle cell disease – the most common inherited blood disorder in the U.S.

Sickle cell disease impacts more than 100,000 people across the country, most of whom are of African descent. Regular blood transfusions are critical to managing extreme pain and life-threatening complications faced by many. Unfortunately, they may develop an immune response against blood from donors that is not closely matched to their own. However, because most individuals who are Black have unique structures on their red blood cells that are not often found in other donor populations, 1 in 3 African American blood donors is a match for people with sickle cell disease.

Seasonal changes can trigger pain crises for those battling sickle cell – possibly increasing the need for lifesaving blood transfusions. As summer ends, book a time to give blood by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). As a thank-you, all who come to give through Sept. 18 will get an exclusive Red Cross 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 severe pain. “When cells harden, they can get caught in blood vessels, potentially leading to stroke and organ failure,” says Dr. Matthew Coleman, Red Cross Regional Medical Director. “Transfusions provide healthy blood cells, unblocking blood vessels and delivering oxygen, minimizing crises patients with sickle cell may face.”

Joined by Blood

To help ensure patients have the blood products they need, the American Red Cross is working with partners in the Black community to grow the number of blood donors who are Black through the sickle cell initiative, which launched in 2021. In the first year of the initiative, the number of first-time African American blood donors who gave with the Red Cross increased by 60%. In September and October, the Red Cross launches Joined by Blood, a fall component of the initiative where the Red Cross is teaming up with community organizations, like the National Pan-Hellenic Council and others, to host blood drives and inspire donors who are Black to give blood to support patients with sickle cell disease. To learn more, visit RedCrossBlood.org/OurBlood.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities Sept. 7-30:

Clay

Clay Center

9/23/2022: 8:30 a.m. – 2:15 p.m., Catholic Parish Center, 714 Court Street

Coffey

Le Roy

9/14/2022: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., LeRoy Community Center, 713 California

Dickinson

Abilene

9/8/2022: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Trinity Lutheran Church, 320 N. Cedar Street

Herington

9/9/2022: 12 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., First Baptist Church, 201 E. Hawley

Franklin

Ottawa

9/28/2022: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Celebration Hall, 1737 S. Elm

Geary

Junction City

9/19/2022: 11:30 a.m. – 6 p.m., Junction City Municipal Building, 700 N Jefferson

9/28/2022: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Geary Community Hospital, 1102 St Marys Rd.

Lyon

Emporia

9/15/2022: 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Newman Regional Health, 1201 W. 12th Ave.

9/16/2022: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Newman Regional Health, 1201 W. 12th Ave.

9/18/2022: 11:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Flinthills Mall, 1632 Industrial Rd.

9/22/2022: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Emporia State University Memorial Union, 1200 Commercial

9/22/2022: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., St. Marks Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1508 W. 12th St.

Pottawatomie

Wamego

9/8/2022: 12 p.m. – 5:45 p.m., Highland Community College, 500 Miller Drive

9/9/2022: 11:45 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 600 Lincoln Ave

Riley

Manhattan

9/7/2022: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Holiday Inn Manhattan At The Campus, 1641 Anderson Ave

9/14/2022: 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Holiday Inn Manhattan At The Campus, 1641 Anderson Ave

9/15/2022: 10 a.m. – 3:45 p.m., Rock Hills Church, 2610 Farm Bureau Rd

9/15/2022: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Holiday Inn Manhattan At The Campus, 1641 Anderson Ave

9/18/2022: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., First Presbyterian Church, 801 Leavenworth St

9/22/2022: 7:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., Pottorf Hall, Pottorf Hall – Cico Park

9/22/2022: 10:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., Meadowlark Hills, 2121 Meadowlark

9/23/2022: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Meadowlark Hills, 2121 Meadowlark

9/25/2022: 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 621 Humboldt

9/27/2022: 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Kansas State University Union, Union

9/27/2022: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Pottorf Hall, Pottorf Hall – Cico Park

9/27/2022: 1 p.m. – 6:45 p.m., Kansas State University, Kramer Dining Center – 1835 Claflin Rd

9/28/2022: 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Kansas State University Union, Union

9/28/2022: 1 p.m. – 6:45 p.m., Kansas State University, Kramer Dining Center – 1835 Claflin Rd

9/30/2022: 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., McCain Auditorium Kansas State University, 207 McCain Auditorium

Shawnee

Topeka

9/23/2022: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Washburn University Law School, 1700 College Ave.

Testing for sickle cell trait

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. 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 nonprofit 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.