A Community blood drive to raise awareness about sickle cell disease (SCD) in Northeast Florida

ActionNewsJax.com News Staff

September 11, 2022 at 10:08 AM·3 min read

In honor of Sickle Cell Awareness Month, LifeSouth Community Blood Centers is partnering with the Richard Webster-Bass Health Institute and The Bethel Church on a community blood drive to raise awareness about sickle cell disease (SCD) in Northeast Florida and help recruit donors to participate in LifeSouth’s Sickle Cell Heroes program, which supports local patients living with SCD.

The Red Sunday Blood Drive is open to the public this Sunday, September 11 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at The Bethel Church. Donors will receive a $10 e-gift card, a free t-shirt and lunch will be provided to all those who register to donate blood.

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“We are so grateful to our partners, The Bethel Church and the Richard Webster-Bass Health Institute for providing us this opportunity to raise awareness about the 365 Movement and our Sickle Cell Heroes program,” said Angela Byrd, District Director of LifeSouth Community Blood Centers, Northeast Florida.

“Giving blood is an act of service, and at this event local members of our community who donate will provide life-saving blood to those living in Northeast Florida with sickle cell disease.”

Throughout the month of September, donors have the opportunity to learn more about the 365 Movement, which focuses on raising awareness for the need of Black donors to help patients who need specially matched blood for transfusions 365 days a year.

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“Blood transfusions are a critical form of treatment for sickle cell warriors. We must support sickle cell warriors that experience the hallmark symptom of excruciating pain, strokes, acute chest syndrome and other major complications; by offering love, empathy, compassion, increased access to equitable and culturally responsive care, and blood donations,” said Rev. Dr. Selena Webster-Bass, Executive Director of the Richard Webster-Bass Health Institute, Inc.

“Giving blood is offering our very essence, a part of ourselves to others. Join our sickle cell community by giving the gift of life, be a sickle cell hero blood donor.”

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Support Sickle Cell Awareness month in these ways:

• Join the 365 Movement by scheduling regular blood drives to help individuals who could be a potential match for a SCD patient.

• Visit a LifeSouth donor center or blood drive to donate blood. Blood donations are needed every day.

• Donate as often as you can if your identified blood antigen profile is a match. If you are identified as a Sickle Cell Hero, your donations will help a local patient living with SCD.

• Join the Be The Match Registry. There is no universal cure for SCD, but some patients may qualify for a bone marrow transplant. LifeSouth can assist local donors who are interested in being potential bone marrow or cord blood donors for patients in need, including those living with SCD.

To learn more, visit LifeSouth.org/SickleCell. Donors must be at least 17 or 16 with parental permission, weigh a minimum of 110 pounds and be in good health. A photo ID is also needed. LifeSouth’s donor centers in Jacksonville are located at 7840 Baymeadows Way and 800 Prudential Drive (inside Baptist Medical Center Jacksonville).

For additional information, including donor center locations, eligibility criteria and upcoming blood drives, call LifeSouth toll-free at 888-795-2707 or visit www.lifesouth.org.

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