September is Sickle Cell Awareness Month – a time to recognize the strength of those living with sickle cell disease and to raise awareness about the critical role blood donations play in their care.
As a nurse, I’ve seen firsthand the urgency and heartbreak of a sickle cell crisis. I’ve cared for children in excruciating pain, young adults struggling to breathe and parents desperate for relief for their loved ones. I’ve seen and will never forget their pain, their fatigue and their quiet strength.
Sickle cell disease is a genetic blood disorder that causes red blood cells to become misshapen and rigid. These cells die early, leaving a shortage of healthy red blood cells that carry oxygen throughout the body. The sickle-shaped cells block blood flow and lead to severe pain, organ damage and life-threatening complications.
Regular blood transfusions help manage these symptoms and prevent further harm. But for transfusions to be effective, patients often need blood that closely matches their own – especially in terms of certain antigens that are more commonly found in donors of African and Latino descent.
This is why we urgently need more blood donors whose ancestry traces to African and Latin American regions. Your blood could be the match that helps a child avoid a stroke, allows a young adult to return to school or gives a parent the strength to care for their family.
It’s not just about donating blood; it’s about giving someone a chance to have a better life.
If you’ve never donated before, I encourage you to consider it. You could find out that you’re a sickle cell fighter like me! If you’re a regular donor, thank you and please invite others to join you. The process is safe, simple and deeply impactful.
Every unit of blood donated brings hope to someone waiting, someone fighting, someone holding on.
Let’s honor those living with sickle cell diseases by taking action. Visit RedCrossBlood.org to find a blood drive near you. Your donation could be the one that makes all the difference.
Together, we can ensure that no one has to wait in pain for the care they need and deserve.
Terry Stigdon is the CEO of the Indiana region of the American Red Cross.
