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SALT LAKE CITY — Although the American Red Cross is eager for everyone to donate, it is making a specific effort this month to encourage blood donation from members of the Black and Hispanic communities to help people with sickle cell disease.
The Calvary Baptist Church helped with the effort to increase Black blood donors by hosting a blood drive on Friday. The Rev. Oscar T. Moses, the church's pastor, said the church is uniquely situated to help patients with sickle cell disease, especially patients in its community.
"Those with sickle cell disease depend on blood transfusions, and we hope our community will give and spread the word to others," the Rev. Moses said in a statement.
One in three African Americans is a match to be able to give blood to people with sickle cell disease, and having a diverse group of people donating blood helps the blood supply remain diverse and better match all patients.
Michael Smauldon, executive director of the American Red Cross Northern Utah, said the partnership with Calvary Baptist Church is essential in gaining more Black donors, and the Red Cross is hoping to enhance the relationship. They are currently planning more blood drives with the church.
"There's a lot of people who suffer because they can't get enough blood, especially blood that matches them. And so, really working to get people a better understanding ... (of) how they can save lives will be significantly important to make sure that we have enough (blood) in our hospitals," Smauldon said.
He said every slot for the blood drive on Friday was filled after Rep. Sandra Hollins, D-Salt Lake City, talked to the church on Sunday about the need for donating blood.
Smauldon said it is rare for a white person to have blood that is a close match for someone with sickle cell disease; additionally, Black and Hispanic people are more likely to have type O positive or negative blood, which allows their blood to be received by more people.
He said although the number of sickle cell patients in Utah is not large, donations through the American Red Cross can be sent around the country to help the roughly 100,000 Americans with sickle cell disease.
Smauldon has worked with the Red Cross for seven years in multiple positions and said he is excited about enhancing its mission. He said he was taught by his mom to give back as they served in soup kitchens.
"I've ... given my life to helping others, and so this was kind of a natural fit and calling," he said.
Sickle cell disease primarily affects patients of African descent, and patients with the condition need to have frequent blood transfusions. A statement from the Red Cross said it is the most common inherited blood disorder.
Dr. Walter Kelley, divisional chief medical officer with the American Red Cross, explained the disease distorts blood cells, making them hard and shaped like crescents, instead of round, which causes them to get caught and can trigger pain, strokes and organ failure.
"Transfusions provide healthy blood cells, unblocking blood vessels and delivering oxygen, minimizing the crises patients with sickle cell may face," Kelley said.
Seasonal changes can trigger pain and increase the need for a blood transfusion. Kelley said patients should not need to worry about the availability of closely matched blood.
The Utah Red Cross is encouraging all people to honor Black History Month by giving blood sometime in February. The organization is teaming up with other groups to encourage Black community members, in particular, to donate blood.
The American Red Cross is giving a $10 gift card to Amazon.com to anyone who donates blood during February, and those people will also be entered into drawings for prizes.
