By Dawn Anderson, Public Affairs/Communications Volunteer

Like any 2-year-old, Karrington Isaac is a curious and energetic toddler. She’s also fighting a battle that her mother and father wish she didn’t have to go through; a disease that can cause extreme pain and life-threatening complications. Karrington had her first blood transfusion last month after several difficult months. “It was hard for the whole family but especially for Karrington,” confided her mom, Markisha Isaac. A few hours after treatment, Karrington had the energy and strength of a normal active toddler, but little Miss Karrington’s battle didn’t end with her transfusion. Karrington is fighting a blood disorder called sickle cell disease. It is estimated that over 100,000 people in the United States are fighting the disease, with the majority being in the Black or African American community.

Sickle cell disease is a common, inherited blood disorder that causes red blood cells to be hard and crescent-shaped instead of soft and round. As a result, blood has difficulty flowing smoothly and carrying oxygen to the rest of the body, which may lead to severe pain, tissue and organ damage, acute anemia and even strokes. Those living with sickle cell disease are more susceptible to infections and fatigue, and unfortunately, many of life’s simple joys. Even extreme weather can impact patients and create debilitating pain for the individual.

Sickle cell disease affects one out of every 365 Black or African American births. There is currently no widely used cure, but there are treatments that help manage pain crises and other symptoms. Patients may require frequent blood transfusions throughout their lifetime — as many as 100 units of blood per patient each year. Unfortunately, frequent transfusions can make finding compatible blood types more difficult when patients develop an immune response against blood from donors that are not closely matched to the blood of the recipient. One in three African American blood donors are a match for people with sickle cell disease. To help ensure patients have the blood products they need, the American Red Cross is working with partners in the Black community to grow the number of blood donors who are Black so they can help Karrington and others.

Like any 2-year-old, Karrington knows one speed – fast. She loves exploring the outdoors and playing her piano, but even those simple activities bring her body pain and a risk for other illnesses. Markisha and her husband, Wesley Isaac realize that now, more than ever, they need to talk about sickle cell disease so others can understand how important it is to give blood. Markisha’s local church organized a blood drive on behalf of Karrington and others with this illness. “The blood drive helped me realize that it was important for me to talk about sickle cell with others so they could realize how they could help,” remarked Markisha. 

During Black History Month and throughout the year, the Red Cross encourages donors to roll up their sleeves for adults and kids like Karrington who battle sickle cell disease, and others who are facing lifesaving surgeries or a health crisis that requires blood transfusions. Consider donating blood, or encouraging someone you know who may have lifesaving antigens.

“This disease is one that is overlooked. We are getting closer to a cure, but until a cure is readily available, we rely on blood donations,” says Markisha. A single blood donation can help save lives like Karrington and many others.

The need for blood is constant. Every two seconds, someone in the United States needs blood. To make an appointment to give blood or platelets, donors can use the Red Cross Blood App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).