Red Cross Holds Blood Drive to Assist those Suffering from Sickle Cell Disease

Red Cross Holds Blood Drive to Assist those Suffering from Sickle Cell Disease

In an effort to support individuals affected by Sickle Cell Disease, the Alabama Red Cross will be hosting a specialized blood drive. Frameworked at the Guiding Light Church in Birmingham, the event is scheduled for Sunday, February 25, 2024, running from 7:30 am to 1:30 pm.

Initial Target of the Drive

Organizers of the medical mission have set a goal of gathering a total of 100 units of blood. This sufficient quantity aims to assist approximately 300 people suffering from the disease.

Background on Sickle Cell Disease

It is pertinent to note that Sickle Cell Disease is the most commonly inherited blood disorder in the United States. This debilitating illness affects hundreds of thousands of people across the country, predominantly in the African American community and other minority groups.

The disease, inherited as a trait, triggers the transformation of red blood cells from their normal soft and round shape, into a rigid, crescent form. Consequently, the smooth flow of oxygen-rich blood through the body becomes impediment, potentially leading to severe pain, tissue and organ damage, acute anemia and occasionally even strokes. Symptoms often surface as early as four months old, recurring sporadically throughout an individual’s life in what is usually referred to as a sickle cell crisis.

The Severity and Potential Relief from Sickle Cell Crisis

Shatina Nwosu, a dedicated sickle cell manager with the Red Cross, communicates the struggle of what she calls sickle cell warriors. Citing a heartbreaking episode, she mentioned a nine-year-old girl’s agony during a crisis. She clarified that the only relief during these painful episodes is blood transfusion, which at its core, is the process of replacing sickle cells causing pain with healthy blood cells. This transfusion process relies heavily on the generosity of blood donors, and hence, the need for drives such as this.

How to Contribute

The organizers specified that adults aged 17 years and above, and weighing 110 pounds or more, are eligible to participate in the blood drive. To donate blood, a driver’s license or a blood donor card would be needed for identification.

Aspiring donors are urged to schedule an appointment ahead of the event. To do so, they can either download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, or place a direct call to 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

By making a blood donation, individuals receive a unique opportunity to give the precious gift of life, while contributing towards the continuous fight against Sickle Cell Disease.