By: LoudPen
The American Red Cross of North Texas, United MegaCare and The Potter’s House are working together to serve the Black community locally and nationally. Through this incredible partnership, these organizations are on a mission to meet community needs that have gone long unfulfilled.
As the Red Cross commemorates Black History Month with the theme “Black Excellence Is In Our Blood,” it is strengthening its ties with partners in the Black community. The innovative partnership with United MegaCare and The Potter’s House is asking Black Americans to give blood in honor of Black History Month and year-round.
They will host blood drives on Saturday, May 20, at The Potter’s House Fort Worth campus, Saturday, June 17, at The Potter’s House Dallas campus and Saturday, October 14, at The Potter’s House Dallas campus. United MegaCare will also host a bone marrow blood drive on Sunday, February 26.
“We are always looking to be a solution,” said Tiffany Brinkley, community impact director at United MegaCare. “We consider ourselves to be the hands and feet of Jesus. We want people to see our Christlikeness through our missionary work.”
After starting the partnership last year, United MegaCare, the T.D. Jakes-founded humanitarian and philanthropic organization, The Potter’s House, the non-denominational, multicultural church led by Senior Pastor T.D. Jakes, and the Red Cross focused on proactive community education and the importance of health and wellness while debunking myths about minorities donating blood.
Blood donors who are Black play a crucial role in helping treat patients with sickle cell disease, which affects over 100,000 people in the U.S., most of whom are of African descent. Blood transfusions from a donor of the same race or similar ethnicity have the most compatible blood to help patients with sickle cell.
Also, individuals who are Black carry a high percentage, 51 percent, of type O blood. Those who are O positive have universal blood, which means their blood can be used for any patient. In fact, Pearl Rivers, project coordinator at United MegaCare learned she is O positive and has become a proud blood donor since she started working for United MegaCare.
The organizations have already held several blood drives since the start of the partnership last year. More than 162 donors rolled up their sleeves to lifesaving contributions at those drives. That number will grow as the partnership continues to blossom.
Community support of the American Red Cross North Texas Region, The Potter’s House and
United MegaCare’s partnership is important. Consider becoming a blood donor and help make a difference in someone’s life by visiting redcrossblood.org.
Follow the links to learn more about United MegaCare and The Potter’s House.