DETROIT (Sept. 8, 2022) – During Sickle Cell Awareness Month in September, the American Red Cross Michigan Region emphasizes the importance of a diverse blood supply to help meet the needs of those with sickle cell disease – the most common inherited blood disorder in the U.S.

On Thursday, the Michigan Region issued a call to action for blood donations from the Black community. It’s estimated that sickle cell disease affects more than 100,000 people in the United States and 20 million people worldwide – most of whom are of African descent. More specifically, one in every 365 Black or African American person is born with sickle cell.

David Mair, M.D., chief medical officer of the North Central and Central Atlantic Divisions, American Red Cross Blood Services, said being able to provide compatible blood types to people is important to the Red Cross mission.

“The blood that runs through our veins can ease the suffering of others,” Dr. Mair said during a briefing with reporters. “Patients battling sickle cell disease need that help.”

Regular blood transfusions are critical to managing extreme pain and life-threatening complications faced my many sickle cell patients. Unfortunately, they may develop an immune response against blood from donors that is not closely matched to their own.

“Certain blood characteristics are inherited thus making them more likely to be found within certain donor groups,” Dr. Mair said. “These matched blood products provide a more compatible unit for transfusion to patients in need. By identifying a donor’s race and ethnicity, it helps the Red Cross better and more efficiently locate rare blood types to best meet the needs of all patients of all backgrounds.”

People living with sickle cell disease may require as many as 100 units of blood every year to maintain their quality of life, Dr. Mair said. “These life-saving transfusions increase the number of normal red blood cells in the body and help to boost blood flow to the rest of the body,” he said. “Without these transfusions, a person’s blood doesn’t flow normally, putting them at risk for severe pain, tissue and organ damage, anemia – even strokes.”

DeAndra Smith, sickle cell account manager for the Michigan Region, has been living with the disease since she was two years old. She has been hospitalized more than 75 times for severe pain, acute chest syndrome, pneumonia and other complications of sickle cell. She’s partially blind in her right eye and has experienced mental health challenges.

“I wouldn’t be here today without the generous blood donations made to the Red Cross,” said Smith, a resident of Redford Township. “They’ve made a lifesaving difference in my life for sure. For that, I’m most grateful.”

Smith said she is using her story and her position at the Red Cross to advocate for blood donations.

“For patients with sickle cell disease, blood donors who are Black are almost 3 times more likely to be a match for the blood most needed, compared with donors who are not Black or African American,” Smith said. “Most individuals who are Black have unique structures in their red blood cells that are not often found in other donor populations.”

Boosting our Black donor population will help close the equity gap seen in sickle cell disease, which disproportionately impacts the Black community, Smith said. “As a group, people with sickle cell disease experience worse health outcomes compared to other diseases and have access to fewer health resources.”
 
To schedule an appointment, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit www.redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Appointments are preferred but walk-ins are accepted.

Testing for Sickle Cell Trait

At a time when health information has never been more important, the Red Cross is screening all blood, platelet and plasma donations from self-identified African American donors for the sickle cell trait. This additional screening will provide Black donors with an additional health insight and help the Red Cross identify compatible blood types more quickly to help patients with sickle cell disease. Donors can expect to receive sickle cell trait screening results, if applicable, within one to two weeks through the Red Cross Blood Donor App and the online donor portal at www.redcrossblood.org.

How to Donate Blood

Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit  RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass^® to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App. 

MEDIA CONTACT: David Olejarz | david.olejarz@redcross.org | 313-303-0606

About the American Red Cross 
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.