Red Cross initiative aims to increase blood availability for patients with sickle cell disease

Blood transfusions from donors who are Black may provide best outcomes for patients

Sept. 16, 2021 — 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.

Over 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 crisis 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 is 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.

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 Central & Southern Ohio Region of the American Red Cross is working with the Ohio Sickle Cell and Health Association, Nationwide Children's Hospital, National Pan Hellenic Council - Columbus, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and the NAACP - Licking County Chapter

Upcoming blood donation opportunities Sept. 17-30

Perry

New Lexington

9/20/2021: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., New Lexington High School, 2547 Panther Drive

9/24/2021: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Ludowici - Local 505, 4757 Tile Plant Rd., PO Box 69

Somerset

10/14/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Somerset American Legion, 107 East Gay St.

Thornville

9/30/2021: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Sheridan High School, 8725 Sheridan Road

10/9/2021: 7 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Thornville Masonic Lodge, 44 E. Columbus Street

_______________

Athens

Albany

9/23/2021: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Alexander High School, 6091 Ayers Road

Athens

9/22/2021: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., First Presbyterian Church, 2 North Court Street

9/23/2021: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Athens County Chapter House, 100 May Ave.

9/29/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Athens County Chapter House, 100 May Ave.

9/30/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Athens Masonic Lodge, 12 W Carpenter St.

10/5/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Baker Center, 1 Park Place

10/7/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Richland United Methodist Church, 60 Pomeroy Rd

10/8/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Sojourners Athens, 5 N Shafer Street

10/15/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Baker Center, 1 Park Place

Glouster

9/21/2021: 7:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Trimble High School, One Tomcat Drive

The Plains

9/22/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., The Plains United Methodist Church, 3 North Plains Rd

10/11/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., The Plains United Methodist Church, 3 North Plains Rd

_______________

Coshocton

Coshocton

9/17/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Coshocton Regional Medical Center, 1460 Orange Street

9/22/2021: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Roscoe United Methodist Church, 475 High Street

10/6/2021: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Roscoe United Methodist Church, 475 High Street

10/6/2021: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Roscoe United Methodist Church, 475 High Street

Fresno

9/28/2021: 3 p.m. - 8 p.m., Chili Crossroads Bible Church, 29445 County Rd. 10

_______________

Fairfield

Baltimore

10/11/2021: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., The Grove Community Christian Church, 3420 Blacklick Eastern Rd.

Bremen

9/28/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Bremen United Methodist Church, 205 Walnut St

Carroll

9/25/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Bloom Carroll Elementary, 4955 Carroll Eastern Rd.

10/9/2021: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Hope Community Church of the Nazarene, 3570 Coonpath Rd.

Lancaster

10/1/2021: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Fairfield Christian Academy, 1965 N. Columbus St.

10/4/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Knights of Columbus Hall, 343 E. Walnut St.

10/5/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Knights of Columbus Hall, 343 E. Walnut St.

10/6/2021: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Johns Family Community Blood Drive, 343 E. Walnut St.

10/12/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Fairfield County Job and Family Services, 239 W. Main Street

10/14/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., City Council Chambers, 111 So. Broad Street

10/14/2021: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., St. Mark Church, 324 Gay St.

Millersport

10/6/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Millersport Lions Club, 2900 Chautauqua Blvd

Pickerington

9/17/2021: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., OhioHealth Pickerington Medical Campus, 1010 Refugee Road

9/21/2021: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, 8950 Refugee Rd.

9/27/2021: 1:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., American Legion Post 283, 7725 Refugee Rd. N.W.

10/2/2021: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Violet Baptist Church, 8345 Blacklick Eastern Road

10/7/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Logos Bible Church, 623 Hill Rd. N

10/10/2021: 8 a.m. - 12 p.m., Epiphany Lutheran Church, 268 Hill Road

10/12/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Pickerington Church of the Nazarene, 11775 Pickerington Road NW

Rushville

9/21/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Rushville Lions Club, 2960 Logan Thornville Road

Sugar Grove

9/18/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Hide A Way Hills Club, 29042 Hide-A-Way Hills Rd

_______________

Fayette

Jeffersonville

10/2/2021: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Masonic Lodge, 23 S. Main St.

Washington Court House

10/12/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Grace United Methodist Church, 301 East Market Place

10/14/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Adena Fayette Medical Center, 1510 Columbus Ave

_______________

Guernsey

Byesville

10/6/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Stop Nine Church, 60325 Southgate Road

Cambridge

9/18/2021: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Cambridge YMCA Family Center, 1301 Claimont Avenue

10/9/2021: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., First Baptist Church, 136 E.8th Street

_______________

Harrison

Freeport

10/12/2021: 3 p.m. - 8 p.m., Antrim Mennonite Church, 20360 Cadiz Road

_______________

Highland

Greenfield

9/22/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Adena Greenfield Medical Center at Greenfield Area Christian Center, 910 N 5th Street

Hillsboro

10/16/2021: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Fall Creek Friends Church, 11345 Karnes Rd

_______________

Hocking

Logan

9/28/2021: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., St. Matthew Lutheran, 258 Hunter St.

_______________

Licking

Etna

9/30/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Daybreak Church, 1226 Pike Street

Granville

10/6/2021: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Denison University, 100 West College

Heath

9/24/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Indian Mound Mall, 771 S. 30th St

10/14/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Indian Mound Mall, 771 S. 30th St

Hebron

10/14/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Hebron New Life United Methodist Church, 925 West Main ST

Johnstown

9/20/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Church of the Ascension Worship Center, 555 South Main St

Newark

9/17/2021: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Licking Blood Donation Center, 1272 West Main Street, Doctors Park Building 5 - South

9/21/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Licking Blood Donation Center, 1272 West Main Street, Doctors Park Building 5 - South

9/24/2021: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Licking Blood Donation Center, 1272 West Main Street, Doctors Park Building 5 - South

9/24/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Trinity Episcopal Church, 76 East Main Street

9/26/2021: 8 a.m. - 12 p.m., Highwater Church, 1213 Dutch Lane Road

9/28/2021: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Trek Brewing Company, 1486 Granville Rd

9/28/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Licking Blood Donation Center, 1272 West Main Street, Doctors Park Building 5 - South

10/1/2021: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Licking Blood Donation Center, 1272 West Main Street, Doctors Park Building 5 - South

10/5/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Licking Blood Donation Center, 1272 West Main Street, Doctors Park Building 5 - South

10/8/2021: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Licking Blood Donation Center, 1272 West Main Street, Doctors Park Building 5 - South

10/12/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Licking Blood Donation Center, 1272 West Main Street, Doctors Park Building 5 - South

10/15/2021: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Licking Blood Donation Center, 1272 West Main Street, Doctors Park Building 5 - South

Pataskala

9/22/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., West Licking County Family YMCA, 355 West Broad Street

10/8/2021: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Tri Village Christian Church, 7509 E. Broad St SW

Utica

10/14/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Utica Church of Christ, 115 North Central Avenue

_______________

Madison

London

10/1/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Fairhaven School, 510 Elm Street

10/8/2021: 1:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., St. Patrick Church, 61 S. Union Street

Plain City

10/13/2021: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Jerome Township Administrative Office, 9777 Industrial Parkway

_______________

Morgan

Malta

10/8/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Malta United Methodist Church, 212 Main Street

McConnelsville

9/30/2021: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Morgan High School, 800 Raider Drive

Stockport

9/29/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Stockport United Methodist Church, 3455 Market St.

_______________

Muskingum

Frazeysburg

9/17/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Meadow View Church of Christ, 6750 Raiders Road

New Concord

9/23/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Muskingum University Gym, Comin Street

South Zanesville

9/28/2021: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Maysville High School, 3725 Panther Drive

Zanesville

9/17/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Trinity United Presbyterian Church, 830 Military Road

9/23/2021: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Trinity United Presbyterian Church, 830 Military Road

9/25/2021: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., North Terrace Church of Christ, 1420 Brandywine Blvd

9/27/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Trinity United Presbyterian Church, 830 Military Road

10/5/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Trinity United Presbyterian Church, 830 Military Road

10/11/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Trinity United Presbyterian Church, 830 Military Road

_______________

Noble

Caldwell

9/30/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Community Center, 44187 Fairgrounds Rd

Sarahsville

10/4/2021: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Shenandoah High School, 49346 SR 147

_______________

Perry

New Lexington

9/20/2021: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., New Lexington High School, 2547 Panther Drive

9/24/2021: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Ludowici - Local 505, 4757 Tile Plant Rd., PO Box 69

Somerset

10/14/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Somerset American Legion, 107 East Gay St.

Thornville

9/30/2021: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Sheridan High School, 8725 Sheridan Road

10/9/2021: 7 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Thornville Masonic Lodge, 44 E. Columbus Street

_______________

Pickaway

Circleville

9/17/2021: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., St. Joseph Catholic Church Parish Center, 777 E. Ohio St.

9/29/2021: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Circleville High School, 380 Clark Drive

10/5/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Pickaway County District Public Library, 1160 North Court Street

10/13/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Trinity Lutheran Church, 135 East Mound Street

South Bloomfield

10/8/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., South Bloomfield Community Blood Drive, 5000 Park Place

Williamsport

9/29/2021: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Westfall High School, 19463 Pherson Pike

10/7/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Crown Hill Golf Course, 9500 US-22

_______________

(more)

Ross

Bainbridge

9/30/2021: 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Paint Valley High School, 7454 U.S. Route 50

10/15/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Tri-County Community Building, 4715 St. Rt. 41

Chillicothe

9/24/2021: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., South Central Ohio Chapter, 181 N Bridge St

9/27/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., South Central Ohio Chapter, 181 N Bridge St

10/7/2021: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Adena Regional Medical Center, 446 Hospital Road

Frankfort

9/18/2021: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Masonic Lodge #309, 23 W Springfield St.

_______________

Tuscarawas

Newcomerstown

10/6/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 121 South College Street

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 www.Redcross.org/centralandsouthernoh or cruzrojaamericana.org, or join us on Twitter and Facebook at @ARCcsor