Sickle cell is a lifelong disease. For many, blood transfusions offer hope. 
“Blood donors can play an important role in the treatment of sickle cell disease,” said Sharyn Whitman, CEO for the Indiana-Ohio Blood Services Region of the American Red Cross. “For some patients, blood transfusions can ease pain and prevent complications, including strokes.”
Sickle cell disease is the most common genetic blood disease in the United States. Estimates are that more than 70,000 people live with the condition in the U.S., and that 1,000 babies are born with the disease annually. A single patient with sickle cell can receive up to 100 pints of blood each year.
The disease affects red blood cells by causing soft, round blood cells to become hard, sticky and “sickle” shaped. While normal red cells move smoothly through small blood tubes in the body, sickle shaped cells clog flow and break apart, causing pain, damage to blood vessels or vital organs, low blood count or anemia.
“People are often surprised when they learn that sickle cell disease affects people of almost all races,” said Whitman. “While the disease is more prevalent among people of African-descent, we also see the disease among people from India, Central and South America, the Middle East, the Caribbean and Mediterranean nations like Greece, France and Turkey.”
Since the best blood match for a patient requiring ongoing transfusions comes from donors of the same genetic background, the Red Cross encourages people of all ethnicities to donate blood, and help increase the number of diverse donors.
“You have a unique ability to help someone in need, just by giving blood,” said Whitman. “And with September being National Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month, there’s an even more compelling reason to make and keep your appointment to help save a life.”
UPCOMING AMERICAN RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVES IN YOUR AREA:
- Thursday, Sept. 16, from 3:30 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Jones Elementary School, located at 2374 McCool Road in Portage. This is a Pint Size Heroes blood drive.
- Friday, Sept. 17, from 11:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. at the YMCA of Portage, located at 3100 Willowcreek Road in Portage. Please email Steve.Beach@porterhealth.com to schedule your blood donation appointment.
- Wednesday, Sept. 22, from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Arnell Motors, located at 241 Melton Road in Burns Harbor. Please email crc3@arnellmotors.com to schedule your blood donation appointment.
- Thursday, Sept. 23, from noon until 6 p.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church in the Meeting Hall, located at 106 E. 1100 N. in Chesterton.
- Sunday, Sept. 26, from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. at Visiting Nurse Association of Porter County, located at 2401 Valley Drive in Valparaiso.
- Monday, Sept. 27, from 3 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Boone Grove Elementary School in the gymnasium, located at 325 W. 550 S. in Boone Grove.
- Tuesday, Sept. 28, from 2 p.m. until 7 p.m. at the United Methodist Church in the Fellowship Hall, located at 202 W. Church St. in Hebron.
How to Donate Blood
To schedule an appointment to donate please call 1-800-REDCROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org for more information. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental permission in some states), meet weight and height requirements (110 pounds or more, depending on their height) and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. Please bring your Red Cross blood donor card or other form of positive ID when you come to donate.
About the American Red Cross
The Indiana-Ohio Blood Services Region serves northern and central Indiana and northwestern Ohio and needs to collect about 500 units of blood a day to meet patient need in more than 60 hospitals. In addition to supplying nearly half of the nation’s blood, the American Red Cross teaches lifesaving skills, provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization—not a government agency—and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission.