CHARLOTTESVILLE (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) — The American Red Cross will host the Sickle Celebration Blood Drive this Saturday from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Jefferson School City Center. The event is a part of the Red Cross’ efforts for National Sickle Cell Awareness Month, which takes place every September as designated by the U.S. Congress in 1983.

Sickle Cell Disease is a genetic condition impacting over 100,000 people in the United States and is particularly common among Black Americans. The disease affects one out of every 365 African American births, according to the Red Cross.

The condition causes a patient to form red blood cells that are stiff and sickle shaped, as opposed to their typical soft and round shape. These stiffer sickle cells can stop blood flow, causing intense pain, damage to organs and tissue and even strokes. These symptoms can be debilitating and severely disrupt patients’ everyday lives.

The most common treatment for this condition is blood transfusions, which provides patients with the normal, soft blood cells that help stimulate blood flow. But this is only a temporary solution, as the cells will inevitably die and be replaced by sickle cells, prompting the need for another transfusion. Patients may need up to 100 units every year, and finding a compatible donor can be tricky.

Mary Coleman is one of 17 Emerging Markets Account Managers with the Red Cross. Her role is to go to community organizations, schools and colleges to encourage more people, particularly African Americans, to donate blood. 

Coleman said about 93% of donors are Caucasian, which can cause a major problem for Black Sickle Cell patients, who not only need a blood type match, but also need a match in the type of red blood cell antigens, something far more common in donors who are of the same race.

“The lab is trying to match the sprinkle level, not the donut level,” Coleman explained.

Thus, the Red Cross hopes to get the word out with the Sickle Celebration. In partnership with nine local African American organizations, the event aims to not only serve as a blood drive, but also as a way to further spread awareness of the disease. 

The Jefferson School Foundation’s Director of Community Engagement Kimberly Sheffield said that after hosting its first blood drive early last year, she wanted to do it again, and soon the idea grew into what she called a “mega blood drive.”

“Our goal was to have 57 participants sign up,” she said, “and we have hit that goal, so on Saturday we will have 57 folks come out and donate blood, which is huge.”

After 18 months of planning and preparation alongside the drive’s nine partners, Sheffield is encouraging any and all to come out, describing the event as not just a blood drive, but a celebration.

“We have a DJ there. We have a 360-photo booth. We’ll have food there,” she said. “So, this is not just a sterile blood drive. This is a celebration of life and saving lives.”

For those looking to donate blood, Coleman said that while all slots are full on Saturday, the Red Cross often fills the schedule expecting some people to not show up or get deferred because they may have blood pressure or another condition that prevents them from donating. So, walk-ons may be taken, and even if there aren’t, those interested in donating can find more drives near them at redcross.org using their ZIP Code.

“They’re running all the time,” Coleman said. “You can give every 56 days and that’s really what we’re looking for. We want people to give blood regularly and we want organizations to house blood drives regularly.”