MADISON, Wis. — The American Red Cross plans to host its first sickle cell blood drive this weekend in an effort to maintain a diverse blood supply and raise awareness for sickle cell disease.
The drive is scheduled to run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Urban League of Greater Madison, located at 2222 S. Park St., and will feature partnerships with the Urban League of Greater Madison and 12 other Black-led community groups.
Event organizers said they hope to encourage other Black donors to donate consistently so the Red Cross has a regular supply of blood, which is still one of the most critical treatments for patients with sickle cell disease.
Nationwide, more than 100,000 people live with the disease, which distorts soft, round blood cells, turning them into hard, crescent-shaped cells that can cause extreme pain and potentially lead to more serious issues like strokes and organ failure.
All donors who attend Saturday’s drive will get a free health screening, a Red Cross T-shirt and a $10 Visa gift card, while supplies last.
COPYRIGHT 2022 BY CHANNEL 3000. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.
