Red Cross initiative aims to increase blood availability for patients with sickle cell disease | September 16, 2021
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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Harrison
Freeport
10/12/2021: 3 p.m. - 8 p.m., Antrim Mennonite Church, 20360 Cadiz Road
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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
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Hocking
Logan
9/28/2021: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., St. Matthew Lutheran, 258 Hunter St.
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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(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.
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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.
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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