Three separate blood drives were scheduled in Akron, Ohio for the final three days of September to collect lifesaving blood and to raise awareness of sickle cell disease.
About 100,000 people in the United States have sickle cell disease. The disease affects 1 out of every 365 Black or African American births.
Greater Akron and The Mahoning Valley, Ryan Lang, Red Cross board member and volunteer, Amy Cole, Red Cross board member and volunteer
People with sickle cell disease may need as many as 100 units of blood each year. Blood donations could help alleviate the symptoms of someone living with sickle cell disease, or even help save their life.
On Thursday, September 28th , the organization 100 Black Men of Akron hosted a drive at the headquarters of the Red Cross of Greater Akron and the Mahoning Valley. Michael Irby, President of the local organization, said hosting the blood drive fits with the national group’s mission.
“Being out in the community, not just mentoring but partnering is important to us,” he said. “Blood drives fit right into our narrative of health and well-being.”
Michael said hosting the blood drive was especially important, not just because September is Sickle Cell Awareness Month, but also because of the shortage of blood nationwide.
The American Red Cross declared a national blood shortage on Sept. 11, citing a critically low blood supply level that dropped nearly 25% since early August.
When supplies are low it can often take weeks for inventories to rebound. The Red Cross estimates that 10,000 additional blood products must be collected each week over the next month for the blood supply to reach sufficient levels and meet hospital and patient needs.
On Friday, September 29th , the Akron Public Schools and Delta Sigma Theta Akron Alumnae Chapter and the Active Chapter at the University of Akron scheduled a blood drive at the Akron Public schools board office. And on Saturday, September 30th, a blood drive sponsored by the Akron National Panhellenic Council was scheduled at the Greater Akron and the Mahoning Valley Chapter headquarters. It’s the second blood drive for sickle cell awareness hosted by the group, following an initial blood drive last June.
If you feel healthy and well, please consider scheduling a blood donation by visiting redcrossblood.org, or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767.) You can also schedule an appointment on the Red Cross blood donor app.
Donors of all blood types are urgently needed, and there is an emergency need for platelet donors and type O blood donors to make an appointment to give now to ensure patients across the country continue receiving critical medical care. And for people with sickle cell disease, blood from people of the same race or similar ethnicity is important in ensuring the best transfusion results, with the least potential reaction.
Posted by Ryan Lang, Red Cross board member and volunteer
NOHredcross 