The Red Cross looking for Black blood donors for Sickle Cell Initiative

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) – The Red Cross joined local officials and first responders Monday to raise awareness about the need for blood amid the ongoing fight against sickle cell disease.

It’s also part of the Red Cross’s Sickle Cell Initiative which runs through December 2027 and looks to increase the number of Black blood donors. According to the Red Cross, the disease is the most common genetic blood disorder in the United States and affects about 100,000,000 people, primarily of African descent.

Western Mass News spoke with the executive director of the Central Western Chapter of The American Red Cross, Nia Rennix, to hear why the organization is working with local black communities as part of their initiative. “Sickle cell disease disproportionately affects Black and people of African American descent, it is a disease that affects your neighbors, your friend, many people that you already know, and the need for blood and blood transfusions for this disease is even greater than ever before.”

According to the Red Cross, only one in three African American blood donors match people with sickle cell disease.

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