By Alana Mauger

Philadelphia is home to many national firsts. The Library Company of Philadelphia, founded by Benjamin Franklin in 1731, was the nation’s first library. In 1740, the University of Pennsylvania became the first university in the U.S. and has the distinction of opening the nation’s first medical school (1765) and the world’s first college-level business school, Wharton (1881). And the Philadelphia Zoo, home to over 13,000 animals, was the nation’s first zoo.

Philadelphia is also home to the Blue Tag Program, a lesser known but critically important first that began as a unique collaboration between the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), the nation’s first pediatric hospital, and the American Red Cross. The program has saved countless lives of individuals living with sickle cell disease by providing blood transfusions that are more closely matched to their own.

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. It’s the most common inherited blood disorder in the U.S. and primarily impacts individuals who are Black or Latino/a. With no universal cure, patients with sickle cell disease rely on lifesaving blood transfusions as their main course of treatment.

Finding the Right Unit of Blood

Repeated blood transfusions over an individual’s lifetime can cause a patient to develop a life-threatening immune response against blood from donors that is not closely matched to their own.

“The difference between the antigens and proteins that sit on the red cells between the donors and the recipients can cause a lot of problems,” explains Dr. Kim Smith-Whitley, a world-renowned hematologist and sickle cell disease thought leader. “One of those problems is antibody formation where your immune system recognizes those proteins as being unlike your own. And those antibodies can make it difficult for you to find the right unit of blood in the future, but it can also cause problems right then and there.”

In fact, getting the wrong type of blood can be even more dangerous than the anemia itself. A patient’s blood count can fall even lower, and in that situation, it’s even more unsafe for them to receive a red cell transfusion.

“It just builds up this vicious cycle, and unfortunately it can get to the point where it’s impossible to find a compatible unit of blood because you have so many antibodies.,” said Dr. Smith-Whitley.

Thinking Outside the Box

While completing her three-year pediatric hematology oncology fellowship training at CHOP in 1992, Dr. Smith-Whitely had a theory.

“If the big antigens are A, B and D that everyone gets screened for, is there a way to screen for the ones that are most discrepant between European Americans and African Americans? And we found those were C, E and K,” she explained.

After finding compelling data and research, she took the theory to one of her mentors, Dr. Catherine Manno, who took it to Sandy Nance, director of immunology and immunotherapy at Penn Jersey Blood Services Region of the American Red Cross. As a result, the Red Cross started screening for C and E in 1995 and added screening for K in 1997.

Introducing the Blue Tag Program

Unfortunately, despite matching programs across the country, antibody reactions were still occurring, largely because not enough African Americans were donating blood. In 1997, the Red Cross and CHOP started an education campaign and began holding blood drives in Black communities. The drives brought in about 50 units of blood per month. After a year, it became obvious more was needed.

“It was raising awareness but not delivering blood in a way that is most beneficial,” Dr. Smith Whitley said. “The blood was available in spurts. You might have an adequate supply one week, and then nothing the next week. “

Since blood often has a tie tag on it during processing, the idea for a sickle cell-specific tag was born. By 1999, blue tags were made available at all blood drives – not just sickle cell ones – and were also distributed within Black communities as an educational tool. After being processed, blue-tagged blood from donors who voluntarily identified themselves as Black started being held at CHOP for 21 days, designated specifically for children with sickle cell disease. Blood not used within 21 days was released into the general blood supply.

“We started to bring in 100 to 250 units of blood per month, which was getting better. But we knew at CHOP that we needed about 600 units, and we thought for the general community, we needed about 750 to supply everyone who really needed it,” said Dr. Smith-Whitley.

The missing piece turned out to be a community partner. The Delaware Valley Chapter of the National Sickle Cell Disease Association of America came on board. By 2005, the program was bringing in 1,000 units per month and was expanded to include all Philadelphia hospitals.

“And we did that until the pandemic hit,” said Dr. Smith-Whitely, who by this point was serving as the clinical director of hematology and director of CHOP’s Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center.

Looking Ahead

CHOP continues to lead the way in sickle cell disease research. Dr. Stella Chou, CHOP’s Division of Transfusion Medicine chief, received a grant from the Doris Duke Foundation to genotype match blood transfusions for sickle cell patients, which may further decrease the likelihood of an immune response. Dr. Chou also led the American Society of Hematology’s (ASH) recommendations on blood transfusions, which calls for all individuals with sickle cell disease to be matched for C, E and K at minimum and to get extended matched blood if antibodies are present.

“You can’t choose where individuals get sick,” said Dr. Smith-Whitely. “Sometimes, you would do all this work antigen matching at the hospital where the individual is primarily cared for, but then they would go to college or go on a business trip and get transfused at a hospital that didn’t follow the same rules and come back with antibodies. Patients should be able to have good care wherever they are. I’m really hoping that ASH recommendations will get some traction and that will protect individuals worldwide.”

Drug therapies for sickle cell disease are also available for the first time. Dr. Smith-Whitely was an investigator for the drug Oxbryta® in its experimental stages. Now FDA approved, the medication reduces the need for blood transfusions in some sickle cell patients. In May 2021, Dr. Smith-Whitley was named executive vice president and head of research and development for Global Blood Therapeutics, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company based in California, which she says enables her to broaden her impact. She remains an attending physician in CHOP’s Division of Hematology.

By Alana Mauger

Anna Snyder has two messages for the readers of this American Red Cross blog: give blood and take care of your mental health.

Following in the steps of her mother and grandfather, Anna began donating blood in high school.

“I grew up in a culture of ‘you should donate blood,’” she said.  “It’s a good thing to do.”

After years of donating herself, Anna became a recipient of others’ generous blood donations several years ago. During a mental health crisis, Anna attempted to take her own life. The 8 transfusions she received in the hospital were a first step on her path to recovery.

“I’m so grateful that I live somewhere with a healthcare infrastructure that had the resources I needed. Blood was an important part of that, she said.

When traumas occur, it’s the blood already on a hospital’s shelf that helps save lives. Unfortunately, the current national blood shortage is posing a concerning risk to patient care and forcing doctors to make difficult decisions about who receives blood transfusions and who will need to wait until more products become available.

In recent weeks, the Red Cross had less than a one-day supply of critical blood types and has had to limit blood product distributions to hospitals. At times, as much as one-quarter of hospital blood needs are not being met.

Blood and platelet donations are critically needed to help prevent further delays in vital medical treatments, and donors of all blood types – especially type O − are urged to make an appointment now to give in the weeks ahead.

Anna is paying it forward by continuing to donate blood and by encouraging others to do the same. Today, she’s also making progress through physical therapy and, most importantly, is taking care of her emotional wellbeing.

“From a mental health perspective, I’m doing great!” she shared.

At Anna’s request, below are some mental health resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with a mental health issue, help is available.

• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) – 800-950-6264
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – 1-800-273-8255
• Crisis Text Line – Text HOME to 741741
• Pennsylvania 24-hour Crisis Hotlines (for every county)
  • Bucks County Crisis Line: 800-499-7455
  • Chester County Crisis: 610-280-3270
  • Delaware County: Crozer Chester Medical Center: 610-447-7600
  • Montgomery County Emergency Services: 610-279-6100
  • Philadelphia: Suicide and Crisis Intervention Line: 215-686-4420

By Maria Marabito and Alana Mauger

Snow is on its way, which means icy roads, frigid temperatures and an increased risk of heating-related home fires. Stay safe with these important tips from the American Red Cross.

On the Go

• Cold weather can be unpredictable. Listen to local area radio, NOAA radio or TV stations for the latest information and updates so you can make responsible choices if going out into a storm.

• Your car, just like your home, should have an emergency kit. The Red Cross has many online resources to guide you. Pack seasonal essentials like windshield scrapers, a small broom, sand, a flashlight, extra hats, socks and mittens (pro tip: mittens keep your hands warmer than gloves). Also, make sure you have an emergency blanket or sleeping bag in case your car breaks down in a snowstorm or deep-freeze situation. And if that happens, you’ll be glad that you packed extra food, like nuts and canned fruit, and bottles of water.

• Use the buddy system. Be sure to bring your cell phone and make sure it’s fully charged. Let someone know your destination, your route, and when you expect to arrive. Plan to travel during daylight and, if possible, take another person with you.

• Employ common-sense defensive driving practices. Don’t follow other vehicles too closely, as sudden stops are difficult on snowy roadways, and never use cruise control when driving in winter weather. Don’t pass snow plows, and remember that ramps, bridges and overpasses freeze before roadways.

• If you get stranded, stay in your vehicle and wait for help; Don’t leave the vehicle to search for assistance unless help is visible within 100 yards, as you can quickly become disoriented and confused in blowing snow. Display a trouble sign, like a brightly colored cloth (preferably red) on the radio antenna.  To stay warm, run the engine for about 10 minutes each hour or five minutes every half hour. Running the engine for only short periods reduces the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning and conserves fuel. Remember to keep the exhaust pipe clear of snow and slightly open a downwind window for ventilation.

At Home

• Keep fire prevention in mind. If you’re keeping cozy with a space heater or fireplace, make sure that any combustible materials, such as furniture or curtains, are at least three feet away. In fact, any heat producer, such as a stove and radiator, should be three feet from anything that could catch on fire. Never leave your portable heaters and fireplaces unattended while on. Don’t forget to test your smoke detectors monthly (do it now; we’ll wait), and make sure everyone in your household knows your emergency escape plan.

• In the case of a power outage, use flashlights instead of candles. Prepare for inclement weather by making an inventory of your flashlights, making sure that every room has one and every person knows where they are, and having an extra stash of batteries.

• Don’t forget your pets! Bring your pets indoors with you during extremely cold weather. Make sure you have supplies to clean up after them, since the weather might prevent them from doing their business outside. Shelter animals like horses or livestock as best you can against wind, snow, rain and ice.

• Protect yourself from the elements. If you must be outside, wear layered clothing, mittens or gloves and a hat, and cover your mouth to protect your lungs from severely cold air. Watch for signs of hypothermia and frostbite. Be kind to yourself if you must shovel snow. Stretch before you start and take frequent breaks to avoid overexertion. Remember to bend with your knees and lift with your legs to avoid a back injury.

• Check on relatives, neighbors, and friends who are elderly or live alone.

By Alana Mauger

Eleven days after a severe storm dumped 10 inches of rain on parts of Lower Bucks County and Northeast Philadelphia, resulting in a 100-year flooding event, the American Red Cross remains focused on the recovery of residents impacted by water damage.

To date, more than 80 trained Red Cross disaster workers assisted nearly 500 people – opening more than 180 cases, offering health and emotional services to more than 300 people, distributing over 1,000 relief supplies and serving more than 1,500 snacks.

Many of those services were provided in person for the first time since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.  After the storm, Red Cross disaster workers staffed an overnight evacuation center at Snyder Middle School in Bensalem on July 12, followed by a three-day community resource center July 13-15 at the Maltese Room behind Cornwells Fire Company in Bensalem. Volunteers also participated in an information and resource center operated by the Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management at the Chalfont Recreation Center on July 15 and 17.

On July 16, Red Cross Regional CEO Guy Triano toured impacted communities in Bristol Township with Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf and Bucks County officials, leading to the opening of a Multi-Agency Resource Center (MARC) July 20-21 at Keystone Elementary School in Croydon. More than 20 government and community agencies, including the Red Cross, served approximately 400 families.  

Collaboration is key in helping communities recover from a disaster. Red Cross disaster mental health volunteer Merrie Eisenstadt made it a point to visit each agency on the first day of the MARC to learn about their services so that she could make better referrals to clients, especially since this was her first disaster deployment. That knowledge was put to good use. A licensed clinical professional counselor (LCPC), Merrie noticed a woman in the middle of the cafeteria who appeared “frozen.”

“When I asked if I could help, she started crying,” Merrie shared.

The woman spoke Mandarin, with little ability to communicate in English. Together with Ceena Jenkins from the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, Merrie helped secure translation services by phone.

“I learned that she had been living in her car because she can’t live in her home. As soon as I heard that, I had to help,” said Merrie. “I didn’t want her to feel like she was just a number.”

Merrie spent close to two hours with the woman, walking her from table to table to fill out assistance applications with the help of the translation service.

“That’s the advantage of a multi-agency center; each works in cooperation with the other,” she said.

The woman Merrie assisted was just one of her 49 client interactions that day.

“Greeting people waiting in line, listening to their stories, showing empathy – it’s the most important thing we can do in this situation,” she said.

In addition to the agencies providing assistance at the MARC, the community at large also stepped up. Parx Casino, located in Bensalem, only a couple miles from where some of the most significant damage occurred, donated $75,000 to American Red Cross Disaster Relief. Because of this kind of support, the Red Cross can help communities prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters big and small.

And when Red Cross disaster volunteers Steve Thomas and Larry Daly went to pick up additional snacks at Sam’s Club in Willow Grove for clients on the second day of the MARC, store manager Patrick generously donated the $140 purchase.

Another example is the Salvation Army of Eastern Pennsylvania, which worked with the Red Cross since the third day of the response to provide impacted residents with meals and snacks, as well as additional clean-up kits and other services.

As the Red Cross transitions from the response to the recovery phase for this disaster, recovery specialists will continue to work with impacted families to plan next steps and connect them with organizations that specialize in solving problems and meeting their specific needs.

The vital work of the Red Cross is made possible by volunteers who contribute their unique backgrounds, talents and skills. To find a volunteer opportunity, visit redcross.org/volunteer.

By Alana Mauger

Heat waves with high humidity. Thunderstorms with heavy rain. Flash flood warnings and watches. Rinse, repeat. It’s summer in Southeastern Pennsylvania, and the American Red Cross wants to help keep everyone safe from flash flooding.

According to the National Weather Service, flash flooding is most often caused by heavy rainfall from thunderstorms and can occur anywhere – along neighborhood streams and creeks as well as on city streets and highway underpasses. Flash flooding is especially dangerous because of how quickly it occurs. People are often caught off guard and may become trapped on roadways and in buildings by fast moving or rising water.

The Red Cross offers four common sense ways to make sure you’re prepared in the event of a flash flood:

• Be Informed – Listen to local radio, NOAA radio or local television stations for the latest information and updates. Pay attention to weather conditions in your area and listen to the advice of local officials.

• Be Educated – Know the difference between a flash flood watch and a flash flood warning. A flash flood watch means that a flood is possible in your area. A flash flood warning means flooding is already occurring or soon will be. If there’s a flash flood warning for your area, stay at or seek higher ground immediately and follow any evacuation orders.

• Be Prepared – Check your emergency kit and replenish any missing items. Keep it nearby.

• Be Safe – Turn around; don’t drown. NEVER drive through water. If you are caught on a flooded road and water is rising around you, get out of the car quickly and move to higher ground. Most cars can be swept away by less than two feet of moving water. Also, stay away from flood water if you’re walking. Never cross a flowing stream where water is above your ankles. And of course, keep children and pets out of the water.

Visit the Flood Safety section of the Red Cross website to learn more or download the free Red Cross Emergency App from any app store.

Each February, the nation and the American Red Cross celebrate Black History Month. All this month here on the Red Cross Philly blog we honor our Black colleagues that are part of our local Red Cross team. We invited them to be guest bloggers to share their thoughts and stories as proud Red Crossers that make up our diverse team here in Southeastern Pennsylvania. Please note, the views expressed in this blog post are of the author and not necessarily those of the American Red Cross. To learn more about Diversity and Inclusion values at the Red Cross, please visit https://www.redcross.org/about-us/who-we-are/governance/corporate-diversity.html.

Today’s blog is written by Andree Baylor-Lloyd, Director of Fixed Site Collections, American Red Cross

As a Black Leader in my current role of Director of Fixed Sites of the Northeast division, I have learned through my interactions with co-workers, donors, and volunteers that each has a unique story. In those stories, you get to know so much beyond the person’s role. These stories, small and great, have shaped our workforce. It allows interaction between individuals that bring value into our culture and the opportunity to experience our uniqueness.  

Black History Month’s importance resides in the greatness of the people who have made this history so rich through their achievements. Black History continues to develop in the lives as our ancestors’ stories and should not be forgotten.  There are so many areas of excellence, but what resonates with me is the culture of storytelling. From generation to generation, black people have been inspired through a message of hope, love, and perseverance. These stories allow the new generation to dream and be hopeful of a bright future.

Black history reminds us of courageous folks like those of the Underground Railroad. The historic moments like the famous “I Have a Dream” speech by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Kamala Harris, the first Black and Asian American Vice President of the United States.  But these are only a few of the significant and important events to know and remember.

To honor this extensive and growing history, Black History Month was established by way of a weekly celebration in February known as “Negro History Week” by historian Carter G. Woodson. But just as Black History is more than a month, so are the numerous stories and figures often overlooked during it.

The diverse history of Historically Black Colleges and universities

While Jewish and African American communities have a tumultuous shared history when it comes to the pursuit of civil rights, there is a chapter that is often overlooked. In the 1930s, when Jewish academics from Germany and Austria were dismissed from their teaching positions, many came to the United States looking for jobs. Due to the Depression, xenophobia, and rising anti-Semitism, many found it difficult to find work, but more than 50 found positions at HBCUs (Historic Black Colleges and Universities) in the segregated South.

Originally established to educate freed slaves to read and write, the first of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities was Cheyney University in Pennsylvania, established in 1837. By the time Jewish professors arrived, the number of HBCUs had grown to 78. At a time when both Jews and African Americans were persecuted, Jewish professors in the Black colleges found the environment comfortable and accepting, often creating special programs to provide opportunities to engage blacks and whites in meaningful conversation, often for the first time.

In the years that followed, the interests of Jewish and African American communities increasingly diverged, but this once-shared experience of discrimination and interracial cooperation remains a key part of the Civil Rights Movement.

Main image description: Photo of Andree Baylor-Lloyd

By: Sophie Kluthe

With less than 10 days to go before Christmas, Tyrel Whipple was not expecting to spend the cold morning of December 16^th clearing what he could out of his apartment in Warminster, Bucks County. 

Overnight, the fire department had rushed to the scene after one of the building’s units went up in flames. Because of the smoke, water and fire damage, all of the residents had to find somewhere else to stay. A Red Cross disaster response volunteer had arrived on scene early in the morning to figure out what kind of support residents like Whipple would need.  

The hallway in Whipple’s apartment building a few hours after the fire was put out.

Walking from the building to his car, holding a cardboard box filled with his possessions, Whipple said, “It’s going to cover me a place to stay until I can get everything figured out.” 

He was among several residents from the building to work with the Red Cross, saying it made a huge difference in those crucial first days of recovery.  

“All the help we received definitely helped ease our hardship.” Whipple said. 

Whipple says the Red Cross had a hand in later steps of his recovery as well because of the referrals made to him by recovery specialists, connecting him with other organizations that could help fill a range of needs and replace various items lost in the process.  

“We are really grateful for the help of your organization during our displacement,” Whipple said. “Another lady from your group has set me up with another group that can help us with resources for getting new furniture for when we can find another place to live.  The Red cross has been really amazing!” 

The scene outside Whipple’s apartment building while residents were gathering their belongings.

The apartment fire that displaced Whipple and his significant other was one of 521 home fires the Red Cross responded to last year in Southeastern Pennsylvania, providing emergency assistance to 2,734 displaced residents.  

To learn more about what the Red Cross does in Southeastern Pennsylvania, visit: https://www.redcross.org/local/pennsylvania/southeastern-pennsylvania/about-us/our-work.html