By Alana Mauger
When patients living with sickle cell disease face a sickle cell crisis, blood transfusions can make a lifesaving difference. That’s why the American Red Cross has launched an initiative to grow the number of blood donors who are Black to help patients with sickle cell disease and to help ensure hospitals have a diverse blood supply.
Sickle Cell Disease: The Basics
Sickle cell disease causes red blood cells to be hard and crescent-shaped – like a sickle – instead of soft and round, making it difficult for blood to flow smoothly and carry oxygen adequately to the rest of the body. Patients can experience complications like severe pain, anemia, infections, stroke and organ damage.
Blood transfusions can help relieve a patient’s sickle cell disease symptoms. But ensuring hospitals have an adequate supply of the major blood types – O, A, B and AB – is only part of the equation. Patients who require regular blood transfusions, like those with sickle cell disease, may develop an immune response against blood from donors that is not closely matched to their own.
There are more than 600 known antigens – substances on red blood cells that help determine blood type – some of which are unique to specific racial and ethnic groups. For example, more than half of blood donors who are Black have blood that is free of C, E and K antigens, making them the best match for those with sickle cell disease.
“Transfusions provide healthy blood cells, unblocking blood vessels and delivering oxygen,” said Dr. David Moolten, Red Cross medical director for Southeastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey. “By increasing the amount of closely matched blood products, the Red Cross is able to help ensure the right blood product is available at the right time for patients facing a sickle cell crisis – minimizing complications for those with rare blood types fighting sickle cell disease.”
The Faces of Sickle Cell Disease
Locally, the Red Cross partnered with the Crescent Foundation to hold a Sickle Cell Awareness Month blood drive in Philadelphia on Sept. 9. At the drive, several sickle cell patient advocates shared their experiences.
One of those people, Shaun “Sturdy” Griggs, recalls having his first sickle cell crisis at age 3.
“Everyone’s pain is different. Mine was like a heartbeat – if you can picture 100 knives stabbing me in the stomach. BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!” he shouted while moving his hands in a stabbing motion.
Now age 30, Shaun continues to experience sickle cell crises a few times per month.
“You wouldn’t be able to tell I have [sickle cell disease] by looking at me, but it’s shaped my life,” he said. “The pain is random. It can happen at any time. I missed a lot of school.”
When asked by a reporter what we, as individuals not living with sickle cell, can do to help, Shaun was quick to respond.
“Awareness. I want sickle cell to have as much awareness as cancer. Everyone knows about cancer,” he said. “We don’t want sympathy, but you can offer support. It can be as simple as giving me a glass of water, making sure I’m hydrated.”
Disparity of Care
Over 100,000 people in the U.S. have sickle cell disease. It is the most common inherited blood disorder, and the most sickle cell patients are Black and/or of African descent. Despite the discovery of the disease more than a century ago, there have been fewer health resources available to help those currently suffering from sickle cell crisis in comparison to similar diseases.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people with sickle cell disease experience worse health outcomes than those with comparable diseases. Patients with sickle cell have the highest hospital return rate within 30 days of discharge compared to other conditions. They often experience longer wait times to see a doctor and get pain medication in the ER. The number of physicians trained and willing to see adult sickle cell patients is very limited. The rate of having a stroke is three times higher for adults with sickle cell disease compared to adults in the same age group without it. Because of these and other factors, the life expectancy of someone with severe sickle cell disease is 30 years shorter than that of people without it. It is an enduring and often invisible health disparity in the U.S.
Building Awareness, Giving Blood
Partnerships with national and local organizations, like the Crescent Foundation, within the Black community are critical to building trust, sharing information and working together to engage new donors to help save lives. Nationally, the Red Cross announced new partnerships with preeminent organizations like the NAACP and 100 Black Men of America, Inc. to raise awareness about sickle cell disease encourage blood donations from individuals who are Black.
The Red Cross is asking members of the Black community to join in helping to address this health disparity and meet the needs of patients with sickle cell disease. Donors can take action today by scheduling a blood donation appointment at RedCrossBlood.org, by downloading the Blood Donor App or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS.
At a time when health information has never been more important, the Red Cross is screening all blood, platelet and plasma donations from self-identified African American donors for the sickle cell trait. This screening will provide Black donors with an additional health insight and help the Red Cross identify compatible blood types more quickly to help patients with sickle cell disease who require trait-negative blood. Donors can expect to receive sickle cell trait screening results, if applicable, within one to two weeks through the Red Cross Blood Donor App and the online donor portal at RedCrossBlood.org.
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