Sickle Cell Patients Need Your Help
Sickle Cell Patients Need Your Help
There is no universal cure for sickle cell disease, but blood transfusions are proven to effectively treat the disease.
The American Red Cross and the Sickle Cell Disease Assocation of America, Inc., (SCDAA) have partnered to expand education and outreach efforts to increase blood donations from African American and Latino donors.
Find out more.
Other Ways To Engage:
Schedule an Appointment
SleevesUp With the SCDAA
It is critical to have a diverse group of blood donors to help all patients in need. Consider that:
- Sickle cell is the most common genetic blood disease in the U.S. and affects as many as 100,000 people of various racial and ethnic backgrounds.
- The great majority of people living with sickle cell disease in the U.S. are of African descent, but Latinos make up the second largest group affected by sickle cell disease.
- A single sickle cell patient can require multiple blood transfusions per year throughout their lifetime in order to treat complications from sickle cell disease.
- Sickle cell patients are more likely to find a compatible blood match from a donor of the same race or ethnic group.
What a Host Does
- Provides a suitable location. A large, open space is best, so we can create separate zones for conducting confidential eligibility assessments and collecting donations.
- Publicizes the blood drive. The more people who know about your blood drive – both within your organization and in the community – the more donors you can sign up.
- Organizes a recruitment committee to recruit donors. Face-to-face requests are the most effective form of recruitment. Don’t do this alone; build a team to help spread the word.
- Schedules donors for appointments. Plus, you’ll do follow-ups during the drive to ensure donors don’t miss their appointments and reach out afterwards to say thank you.
A Win-Win Partnership
As a blood program leader, you will take leadership; work with many groups or people across your organization; bring people together in a spirit of teamwork to make your event successful; and promote a cause that could help save millions of lives each year.
Everybody Wins!
- Patients are able to receive the lifesaving blood they urgently need.
- Your organization builds goodwill and improves team spirit by working together to help others.
- You show leadership in bringing volunteers and donors together for a good cause.