Extreme pain, strokes and organ failure: These can be debilitating − and sometimes life-threatening − signs of a sickle cell crisis. For more than 100,000 people in the U.S. with sickle cell disease, most of whom are of African descent, blood transfusions can offer critical relief from the complications they endure. Some patients may receive up to 100 units of blood in a year. One of those sickle cell patients who relies on blood donors is very close to my heart: my thirteen year-old son, Dreylan.
Dreylan had a contagious abundance of energy that fueled his love of sports, but that energy quickly vanished when Dreylan became riddled with excruciating, life-threatening pain in the fall of 2021. His hemoglobin dropped and his platelet count plummeted. That’s when doctors raised the flag that he needed blood—immediately. But the one item that could help both reduce the pain and restore the bounce in his step was unavailable. His situation is
reminiscent of what many patients are going through now, as the The Red Cross continues to face a national blood and platelet shortage. The impacts of an active disaster season, busy travel season, and back-to-school have caused numerous canceled blood drives, resulting in tens of thousands of blood donations going uncollected.
Over the course of those two days of waiting for blood, Dreylan got progressively worse. Unfortunately, I am keenly aware of the low national blood inventory levels, driving me to tell Dreylan’s story as a blood donor recruitment manager for the Red Cross, hoping to recruit more lifesaving blood donors.
Those living with sickle cell disease depend on the generosity of blood donors. One in 3 African American blood donors is a match for people with sickle cell disease. By making a blood donation this fall, donors can help those with sickle cell disease manage their symptoms and feel the support of their community.
Two years ago, the American Red Cross launched the Sickle Cell Initiative to increase the number of blood donations for those living with sickle cell disease. This fall, the Red Cross is proud to partner with organizations focused on mentorship to highlight the importance of support for young patients living with sickle cell. As part of Joined by Blood, 100 Black Men of America, Inc., Kier’s Hope Foundation, Inc., historically Black colleges and universities and member organizations of the National Pan-Hellenic Council, the Black Radio Hall of Fame, and others are showing up for patients by hosting blood drives around the country this fall.
Finding compatible blood types for sickle cell patients like Dreylan isn’t easy. An estimated 62% of the U.S. population is eligible to donate blood, but only about 3% donate each year. On behalf of the Red Cross, I’m inviting you to take action to help those, like Dreylan, living with sickle cell disease. Typically, as a mom, I can put on my cape and come to my child’s rescue. This is the one thing that I cannot fix without the help of the community. Please consider scheduling an appointment to give blood by visiting RedCrossBlood.org or by calling 1-800 RED CROSS.
Sincerely,
Vesha Jamison
Sickle Cell Account Manager
American Red Cross Blood Services, South Carolina Region
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