Our Blood Saves Lives By Tiffany Taylor, Biomedical Communications Specialist American Red Cross
needs of patients with sickle cell each day.
Many may know someone who suffers from sickle cell disease. It is a condition that is not spoken of or rallied around as much as other diseases but has a massive effect on the Black community. Sickle cell disease currently affects more than100,000 people in the U.S., most of whom are Black. This disease, which distorts soft and round red blood cells, causes patients extreme pain and sometimes cause life-threatening complications. While people may know little about sickle cell disease, it is critical that we raise greater awareness to help meet the immediate and ongoing
Patients with sickle cell enter hospitals every day enduring indescribable pain that requires various treatments to help them cope. In many cases, blood transfusions are necessary. Compatible blood products donated from someone of the same blood type and race, or similar ethnicity offer patients with sickle cell the best chance for a smoother recovery process. Unfortunately, that compatible blood, at times, is not available when needed. With a targeted focus, the American Red Cross has launched a national initiative to increase blood donations within the Black community to support patients with sickle cell. This effort is critical because studies show that while the majority of sickle cell patients are Black, only about 4% of the Red Cross blood donor base is Black. The low number of blood donors who are Black can be attributed to a myriad of things including a lack of knowledge around the need, historical healthcare traumas, a
SCLC National Magazine/ Fall 2021 Issue
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