American Red Cross Blood Drive

Sickle cell disease is the most common genetic blood disease in the U.S. and primarily affects Black and African American individuals.

• Patients with sickle cell disease may rely on regular blood transfusions throughout their lives to help prevent sickle cell complications, such as organ and tissue damage, pain and strokes.
• It affects 1 out of every 365 Black or African American births.
• A single sickle cell patient can require up to 100 units (10 units per month)of blood each year to treat complications from sickle cell disease. Many may need to receive blood transfusions throughout their lives.  Unfortunately, there are frequent shortages of the right type of blood to meet this need.
• Blood type, like eye color, is an inherited trait passed genetically from parents.