By La Valle Warren, American Red Cross Regional Sickle Cell Account Manager

The American Red Cross Sickle Cell Initiative was pleased to kick off its National Partnership with Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. in Philadelphia July 18- 24 for their Grand Boule’ 2022, which saw more than 6,000 members show up and show out beautifully in the City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection.

Zeta Phi Beta International President Valerie Hollingsworth-Baker and National Medical Director Dr. Raina Groover collaborated with Red Cross Biomedical Partnership Officer Wendy Tabron and me to welcome the Zeta’s to Philadelphia. The Red Cross hosted a sickle cell disease educational marketing table during the conference over 5 days and held a successful blood drive for its members. Both events took place at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.

With the assistance of  seven-year Red Cross volunteer Eva Oakley from Raleigh N.C., I helped to educate over 8 regions about Sickle Cell Disease. It was exhausting, but I appreciated the great networking and was honored to partake in the Zeta partnership held in our local region.

In Philadelphia and New Jersey, Red Cross blood donations from individuals who self-identify as Black or African American are labeled with a sickle cell blue tag to indicate they may be a match for sickle cell patients. Additional testing is performed these collected donations to match them as closely as possible with sickle cell patients who need a transfusion. When patients face a sickle cell crisis, blood transfusions can save their lives. Testing is also performed for the sickle cell trait on all donations from self-identified African American donors at every blood drive or blood donation center.

The American Red Cross Sickle Cell Initiative is continuing to partner with Black community-based organizations and community groups to help ensure that hospitals have a diverse blood supply. We’re educating and building awareness about the important role that Black blood donors play in helping people with sickle cell disease — the most common genetic blood disease that primarily affects families who are African American or of African descent. When I am out in communities advocating, it feels like a big family reunion, and it’s my duty to educate my community on sickle cell disease.

September is Sickle Cell Awareness Month, and our Sickle Cell Initiative will focus on hosting blood drives with churches and faith-based organization for our “Community of Giving Blood Drive Series” throughout the month.

Visit our website to learn more about sickle cell disease.