South Side blood drive needs donors to diversify blood-type supply

Community Corner

Advocate Trinity Hospital seeks Black donors for Sickle Cell Anemia Blood Drive on June 30

In honor of Juneteenth, Advocate Trinity Hospital, 2320 E. 93rd Street, Chicago, will partner with the American Red Cross to host a Sickle Cell Fighters blood drive on Thursday, June 30 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

All members of the public are invited to donate blood, especially people who might carry traits for sickle cell anemia, a blood disorder that affects communities of color across the United States. Blood type testing will be offered on-site during the drive. Every donor will receive a $20 Amazon gift card. Additionally, and while supplies last, donors will receive a free t-shirt.

"Blood banks across the country are experiencing a lack of blood type diversity, which impacts hospitals' ability to help patients with rare blood types that are most likely found among people with shared ancestry," said Brandy Jones, director of the Advocate Trinity Hospital Lab. "The Sickle Cell Fighters blood drive is our way of raising awareness about the ongoing need and encouraging a more diverse pool of donors to get involved."

Sickle cell anemia is an inherited blood disorder that makes it difficult for red blood cells to carry oxygen and causes sickle-shaped blood cells, which tend to stick together, block small blood vessels, and cause painful and damaging complications. African Americans are most likely to have sickle cell disease, which is sometimes treated with blood transfusions.

"Increasing the pool of blood donors with African ancestry will bring greater health outcomes for diverse patients needing blood transfusions to manage painful symptom of sickle cell anemia or recover from heavy cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation, or to address emergencies caused by accidents," Jones said.

According to the American Red Cross, sickle cell impacts as many as 100,000 Americans. At least 90% are African American, yet Black donors make up less than 4% of all American Red Cross donors.

To schedule your blood donation, call 1-800-733-2767 or visit the American Red Cross .