During Sickle Cell Awareness Month in September, the American Red Cross emphasizes the importance of a diverse blood supply to help meet the needs of those with sickle cell disease – the most common inherited blood disorder in the U.S.

Sickle cell disease impacts more than 100,000 people across the country, most of whom are of African descent. However, because most individuals who are Black have unique structures on their red blood cells that are not often found in other donor populations, 1 in 3 African American blood donors is a match for people with sickle cell disease.

Seasonal changes can trigger pain crises for those battling sickle cell – possibly increasing the need for lifesaving blood transfusions. As summer ends, book a time to give blood by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). As a thank-you, all who come to give through Sept. 18 will get an exclusive Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last.

Life-threatening complications

Sickle cell disease distorts soft, round blood cells and turns them hard and crescent-shaped, which can cause severe pain. “When cells harden, they can get caught in blood vessels, potentially leading to stroke and organ failure,” says Dr. Lawrence Fialkow, medical director for the American Red Cross Northeast Division. “Transfusions provide healthy blood cells, unblocking blood vessels and delivering oxygen, minimizing crises patients with sickle cell may face.”

Joined by blood

To help ensure patients have the blood products they need, the American Red Cross is working with partners in the Black community to grow the number of blood donors who are Black through the sickle cell initiative, which launched in 2021. In the first year of the initiative, the number of first-time African American blood donors who gave with the Red Cross increased by 60%. In September and October, the Red Cross launches Joined by Blood, a fall component of the initiative where the Red Cross is teaming up with community organizations, like the National Pan-Hellenic Council and others, to host blood drives and inspire donors who are Black to give blood to support patients with sickle cell disease. To learn more, visit RedCrossBlood.org/OurBlood.

Regular blood transfusions are critical to managing extreme pain and life-threatening complications faced by many. Unfortunately, they may develop an immune response against blood from donors that is not closely matched to their own.

Upcoming donation opportunities

Herkimer County

Herkimer — Monday, Sept. 12, 1 to 6 p.m., Frank J. Basloe Library, 245 N. Main St.; Thursday, Sept. 22, 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Herkimer College Alumni Hall, 100 Reservoir Road; Tuesday, Sept. 27, 1 to 5:30 p.m., Herkimer Veterans of Foreign Wars, 131 Mohawk St.;

Ilion — Wednesday, Sept. 14, 1 to 6 p.m., Ilion Marine Corps, 178 Second St.;

Little Falls — Thursday, Sept. 8, noon to 5 p.m., Little Falls Elks Lodge, 60 Ann St.;

Mohawk — Tuesday, Sept. 20, 1:30 to 5:30 p.m., Blessed Sacrament Church, 71 East Main St.

Madison County

Canastota — Tuesday, Sept. 13, 1 to 6 p.m., Heritage Baptist Church, 133 Genesee St.;

Cazenovia — Thursday, Sept. 8, 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Cazenovia College, Hubbard Hall; Thursday, Sept. 15, 1 to 6 p.m., Cazenovia American Legion Post 88, 26 Chenango St.;

Hamilton — Monday, Sept. 26, noon to 6 p.m., Colgate University, James C. Colgate Student Union- Student Activities Building, College Street;

Madison — Tuesday, Sept. 20, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Madison High School, 7303 Route 20;

Morrisville — Thursday, Sept. 29, 1 to 6 p.m., Morrisville Community Church, 3824 Swamp Road; Friday, Sept. 30, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Morrisville College Hamilton Hall, 80 Eaton St.;

Oneida — Friday, Sept. 9, 1 to 6 p.m., St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 551 Sayles St.; Friday, Sept. 23, 1 to 6 p.m., St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 551 Sayles St.

Oneida County

Barneveld — Friday, Sept. 23, 1 to 6 p.m., Town of Trenton Municipal Center, 8520 Old Poland Road;

Clinton — Saturday, Sept. 24, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Clinton United Methodist Church, 105 Utica Road;

New Hartford — Friday, Sept. 30, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Zion Lutheran Church New Hartford, 630 French Road;

Oriskany — Friday, Sept. 30, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Oriskany Junior Senior High School, Oriskany High School, 1312 Utica St.;

Rome — Friday, Sept. 9, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Rome VFW Post 2246, 315 N. Washington St.; Friday, Sept. 16, 12:30 to 5:30 p.m., Rome Family Y, 301 W. Bloomfield St.; Friday, Sept. 23, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Rome VFW Post 2246, 315 N. Washington St.;

Utica — Wednesday, Sept. 21, 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Utica University Student Activities, 1600 Burrstone Road; Thursday, Sept. 22, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., St. Elizabeth’s School of Nursing, 2209 Genesee St.; Wednesday, Sept. 28, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., MVCC, 1101 Sherman Dr.

About the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, go online to redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org.