June 19th is World Sickle Cell Day

By Alana Mauger

Red Cross graphic – World Sickle Cell Day

Monday, June 19th is an important day for celebration and awareness. It marks Juneteenth, our newest federal holiday and a day of reflection and pride that commemorates the ending of slavery in the United States.

It’s also World Sickle Day, established by the United Nations in 2008 and commemorated every June 19th to increase awareness about sickle cell disease – the most common genetic disorder in the U.S. An estimated 100,000 people in the U.S. are living with sickle cell disease, most of whom are of African or Latino descent.

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. Sickle cell warriors can experience complications like severe pain, anemia, infections, stroke and organ damage.

Blood transfusions help relieve sickle cell disease symptoms by increasing the number of healthy red blood cells in the body, helping to deliver oxygen throughout the body and unblocking blood vessels. But ensuring hospitals have an adequate supply of the major blood types – O, A, B and AB – is only part of the equation.

There are more than 600 known antigens – substances on red blood cells that help determine your blood type – some of which are unique to specific racial and ethnic groups.  Individuals who require regular blood transfusions, like those with sickle cell disease, need blood that is matched more closely to reduce possible complications. Therefore, a sickle warrior is more likely to find a compatible blood match from a donor of the same race or similar ethnic group.

Over the next few months, the Red Cross Southeastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey regions will be holding several Community of Giving blood drives specifically to help people living with sickle cell disease. The drives are in memory of E. Steven Collins, a legendary Philadelphia radio icon and beloved community leader, who died of a heart attack in 2013.

E. Steven worked as a professional broadcaster for decades with a long tenure at Radio One. He also had numerous areas of civic outreach, including advocating for people with sickle cell disease. He helped bring attention to the cause by supporting community initiatives that increased education and funding.

More than a decade after his death, the Community of Giving blood drives to help those living with sickle cell disease will continue E. Steven’s long legacy of making a difference. The drives will take place from June 12th through September 28th at locations in Southeastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

To schedule an appointment to donate blood, visit RedCrossBlood.org.

2024 E. Steven Collins Community of Giving Blood Drives: 

Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church
June 29, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
2800-2900 Cheltenham Ave., Philadelphia

Second Baptist Church of Mount Holly
June 29, 2-7 p.m.
306 Washington St., Mount Holly, N.J.

Epiphany Fellowship Church
July 6, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
1632 W. Diamond St., Philadelphia

Christian Stronghold Baptist Church
Aug. 8, 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
4701 Lancaster Ave., Philadelphia

Assemblywoman Verlina Reynolds-Jackson
Sept. 6, noon-5 p.m.
431 Pennington Ave., Trenton, N.J.

Office of City Commissioner Omar Sabir
Sept. 24, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
1400 JFK Blvd., Philadelphia

Lincoln University
Sept. 27, 1-6 p.m.
1570 Baltimore Pike, Lincoln University

Bethlehem Baptist Church
Sept. 28, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
712 Penllyn Pike, Spring House

‘E. Steven Collins Community of Giving’ blood drive series starts June 12th

By Jenny Farley

For the next few months, the American Red Cross will be holding several Community of Giving blood drives to help people living with sickle cell disease. The drives are in memory of E. Steven Collins, a legendary Philadelphia radio icon and beloved community leader, who died of a heart attack in 2013.

E. Steven worked as a professional broadcaster for decades with a long tenure at Radio One. He also had numerous areas of civic outreach, including advocating for people with sickle cell disease. He helped bring attention to the cause by supporting community initiatives that increased education and funding.

Sickle cell disease is the most common genetic blood disorder in the U.S., and it disproportionately affects people who are Black or of African descent. In people with sickle cell, blood cells are hard and crescent shaped instead of being soft and round, which makes it harder for blood to flow smoothly and transport oxygen throughout the body.

Sickle cell warriors often need blood transfusions, sometimes thousands of them throughout their life, to prevent or treat serious complications like anemia, stroke, organ damage and severe pain. More Black blood donors are needed because 1 in 3 will be a match for people who have sickle cell disease.

At a memorial service in September 2013, former Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter described his friend E. Steven Collins as an “incredible champion for people, a voice for the voiceless, and a person who gave presence in the community, about information, about community empowerment and engagement.” He said, “We will miss E. Steven Collins but he will never be forgotten.”

More than a decade after his death, the Community of Giving blood drives to help those living with sickle cell disease will continue E. Steven’s long legacy of making a difference. The drives will take place from June 12th through September 28th at locations in Southeastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

To schedule an appointment to donate blood, visit RedCrossBlood.org.