Blood Donation Encouraged During Holiday Season
Blood Donation Encouraged During Holiday Season
By Tia Carol Jones
This year, the American Red Cross declared a national emergency due to the shortage of blood. The organization is encouraging people to donate blood and platelets this season.
There is also a need for a diverse blood supply. People with Sickle Cell Disease rely on blood transfusions to prevent complications from the disease. According to the Red Cross, sickle cell disease causes red blood cells to be hard and crescent-shaped instead of soft and round, making it difficult for blood to flow smoothly and carry oxygen throughout the body. It is estimated that more than 100,000 people in the United States suffer from the disease. Because the disease most commonly affects those of African descent, blood donation from people of African descent who have O-positive blood is essential.
Cook County Clerk Monica Gordon recently partnered with Community Blood Center to host a Season of Giving Blood Drive. Community Blood Center was founded in 1955, with the mission to provide a reliable and safe blood supply to hospitals.
When it comes to reasons why there might be hesitation within the Black community around blood donation, Gordon said there is a stigma that blood donation is not a safe or private process. She believes there needs to be more community engagement and education so that more Black people are comfortable giving blood.
Gordon said word of mouth can combat the false messaging, myths and misconceptions around blood donation. She said if people knew that one pint of blood can save three lives, they would see the benefit and the impact. She said people do want to make a positive impact, they just need accurate information. She mentioned blood donation is essential, not just for those with sickle cell disease, but also for childbirth complications, cancer treatment and surgery.
“We definitely need to make sure that we continuously give blood to be able to help and already under resourced population,” she said. “So, we need to make sure that our unique population has that resource.”
By holding community blood drives, Gordon is helping to ensure that people in the Black community are donating blood so there is more blood from donors of African descent in the supply. The blood donation event that Gordon hosted in November was the second this year and is something she hopes to continue in her new role as Cook County Clerk. She said while it is not easy to get blood donation participants, but the one in November was very successful.
For more information about blood donation, visit the Red Cross at RedCrossBlog.org, or call 1-800-RED-CROSS.
For more information about Community Blood Center, visit www.communitybloodcenter.org.
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