The Urban League of Greater Madison and The American Red Cross will host a Sickle Cell Awareness Blood Drive on Saturday, Feb. 22, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. and are looking for members of the local Black community to donate blood and help meet the needs of patients with sickle cell disease and other medical conditions.
“Sickle cell disease is the most common inherited blood disorder in America and that’s why events like this Saturday’s Sickle Cell Awareness Blood Drive are so important,” Kyle Kriegl, executive director of the Red Cross of Southwest Wisconsin Chapter, tells Madison365.
Sickle cell disease fundamentally alters the shape of red blood cells from the typical round and concave shape to rigid, sickle-like forms, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Blood donations have remained an essential source of treatment for communities experiencing this disease.
“One in three African American blood donors is a match for people with sickle cell disease. That’s why The Red Cross is working with partners in the community to grow the number of blood donors who are Black,” Kriegl says.
While sickle cell disease is a global health issue, more than 100,000 people live with sickle cell disease here in the United States. The majority of patients are of African descent. Blood given to those with sickle cell disease must be matched closely to reduce the risk of complications.
The American Red Cross launched the Sickle Cell Initiative in 2021 and since then, more than 125,000 first-time African American blood donors have rolled up a sleeve and donated, according to The Red Cross.
“We’re trying to increase the awareness. It’s so important for us to work with partners in the Black community to strengthen and diversify our blood supply while reversing the trend of declining donors overall for this group,” Kriegl says. “We are encouraging as many folks as possible to come out this Saturday. We also provide free sickle-cell trait screening at this event.
“More than 260,000 sickle cell trait screenings have been provided to donors who self-identified as African American, Black or multiracial,” he adds. “We’ve been partnering with the Urban League of Greater Madison for a number of years to grow the number of blood donors and to help patients with sickle cell disease and improve health outcomes.”
The American Red Cross is a national organization that shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families.
(Photos courtesy The Red Cross)
Sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disorder passed down from a parent’s genes that causes the body to make abnormal hemoglobin. While healthy red blood cells are round and move easily all over the body, with sickle cell disease, the red blood cells are hard and sticky and shaped like the letter C (a sickle). As a result, blood has difficulty flowing smoothly and carrying oxygen to the rest of the body, which may lead to severe pain, tissue and organ damage, acute anemia and even strokes.
A patient with sickle cell disease can require multiple blood transfusions throughout their lifetime – as much as 100 units of blood per patient each year – to treat complications from the disease. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. 
“We do have a promotion for this drive where all donors who come to give blood will receive a $20 Amazon.com gift card as a thank you,” Kriegl says.
A goal of the event is to ensure that communities disproportionately impacted by sickle cell have access to important health insights regarding their trait status. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in.
“We are eager to build on this momentum in collaboration with our national and local partners, who are key to engaging both new and loyal blood donors,” Kriegl says. “The Red Cross remains dedicated to supporting the health and well-being of all communities, and a diverse blood supply is crucial for improving health outcomes, especially for those living with sickle cell disease.”
Appointments are strongly encouraged. Walk-ins are welcome. The Urban League of Greater Madison is located at 2222 S. Park Ave.
