For the next few months, the American Red Cross will be holding several Community of Giving blood drives to help people living with sickle cell disease. The drives are in memory of E. Steven Collins, a legendary Philadelphia radio icon and beloved community leader, who died of a heart attack in 2013.
E. Steven worked as a professional broadcaster for decades with a long tenure at Radio One. He also had numerous areas of civic outreach, including advocating for people with sickle cell disease. He helped bring attention to the cause by supporting community initiatives that increased education and funding.
Sickle cell disease is the most common genetic blood disorder in the U.S., and it disproportionately affects people who are Black or of African descent. In people with sickle cell, blood cells are hard and crescent shaped instead of being soft and round, which makes it harder for blood to flow smoothly and transport oxygen throughout the body.
Sickle cell warriors often need blood transfusions, sometimes thousands of them throughout their life, to prevent or treat serious complications like anemia, stroke, organ damage and severe pain. More Black blood donors are needed because 1 in 3 will be a match for people who have sickle cell disease.
At a memorial service in September 2013, former Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter described his friend E. Steven Collins as an “incredible champion for people, a voice for the voiceless, and a person who gave presence in the community, about information, about community empowerment and engagement.” He said, “We will miss E. Steven Collins but he will never be forgotten.”
More than a decade after his death, the Community of Giving blood drives to help those living with sickle cell disease will continue E. Steven’s long legacy of making a difference. The drives will take place from June 12th through September 28th at locations in Southeastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
To schedule an appointment to donate blood, visit RedCrossBlood.org.
2024 E. Steven Collins Community of Giving Blood Drives:
Omega Psi Phi
June 12, 2-7 p.m.
2387 Morse Ave., Scotch Plains, N.J.
Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church
June 29, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
2800-2900 Cheltenham Ave., Philadelphia
Second Baptist Church of Mount Holly
June 29, 2-7 p.m.
306 Washington St., Mount Holly, N.J.
Epiphany Fellowship Church
July 6, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
1632 W. Diamond St., Philadelphia
Christian Stronghold Baptist Church
Aug. 8, 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
4701 Lancaster Ave., Philadelphia
Assemblywoman Verlina Reynolds-Jackson
Sept. 6, noon-5 p.m.
431 Pennington Ave., Trenton, N.J.
Office of City Commissioner Omar Sabir
Sept. 24, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
1400 JFK Blvd., Philadelphia
Lincoln University
Sept. 27, 1-6 p.m.
1570 Baltimore Pike, Lincoln University
Bethlehem Baptist Church
Sept. 28, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
712 Penllyn Pike, Spring House
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PHOTO: E. Steven Collins. Archive photo
- Written by Jenny Farley
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