Help Patients with Sickle Cell Disease During Sickle Cell Awareness Month

In the U.S., more than 100,000 people are estimated to be living with sickle cell disease, most of whom are of African descent. During Sickle Cell Awareness Month, the American Red Cross is emphasizing the importance of a diverse blood supply to help meet the needs of those with sickle cell disease, the most common inherited blood disorder in the country.

Sickle cell disease causes red blood cells to be hard and crescent-shaped instead of soft and round. 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 per year throughout their lifetime to treat complications from the disease.

Blood given to those with sickle cell disease must be matched closely to reduce the risk of complications. A patient in need of blood is most likely to find a compatible match from a donor of the same race or similar ethnicity. 

Jalen Matthews was diagnosed with sickle cell anemia at birth. At 11 years old, she suffered a stroke due to sickle cell complications which caused blood clots on the base of her spine and left her with paralysis in her left arm. Since then, Jalen has received red blood cell exchanges, a non-surgical therapy that removes five units of abnormal red blood cells and replaces them with five units of healthy red blood cells obtained from blood donors, every four to six weeks.

For 22 year-old Jalen, regular blood transfusions help keep her sickle cell complications at bay and have allowed her the opportunity to complete undergraduate studies at the University of Kentucky and to pursue her master’s degree at the University of Indianapolis.

“Without red cell exchanges, I wouldn’t be able to leave the state for school because I would be in constant pain,” said Jalen. “Thanks to donors, I have been able to receive regular blood transfusions and live a fairly normal life and I’m grateful for that.”

In March, due to an unprecedented number of blood drive cancellations in response to the coronavirus outbreak, the Red Cross was facing a severe blood shortage. Jalen was contacted by Norton Infusion Center and informed that they were unsure if she would be able to receive her scheduled transfusion in April.

“This would have been the first blood transfusion I have ever missed, and I was really worried about that,” said Jalen. “But they called the week before the red cell exchange and said ‘we have blood. Come on in.’”

Thanks to the many who gave blood over the last month, Jalen was able to receive her red blood cell exchange. Blood donors are still needed to ensure blood products are readily available for weeks to come.

To those who may be hesitant to give blood, Jalen added, “It’s a rewarding experience to know you have helped save someone’s life. With COVID-19, this might be one of the times people like me need blood the most. If we can’t get the blood we need, we may have further complications. If those who depend on blood transfusions catch coronavirus, it could be more severe if blood isn’t available.”

The Red Cross encourages individuals to make an appointment to give blood by downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device. 

Kentucky Volunteer Assists with California Wildfire Response

Our Red Cross volunteers are assisting around the country, providing comfort and hope to residents impacted by disasters. Kentucky Region volunteer Tanya (third from the right), is assisting with wildfire response efforts in California in a Red Cross shelter.

“We have an […] evacuee that spent 2 hours on a bus working his way around the California Wildfire line to get to our shelter,” said Tanya. “He was evacuated in the middle of the day while fighting off the fire on his own home with a garden hose. Unfortunately, due to the intensity and speed of the fire, his home was consumed and is a total loss, including his vehicle. His words to me upon arriving at the shelter: 'Thank you, I at least have a place to sleep tonight and food to eat because of you guys. The Red Cross is amazing.'"

We need more volunteers like Tanya. Interested in supporting disaster relief? Training sessions to learn the basic skills to become a disaster responder in sheltering or health services are available August 30-31, September 8-9 and September 11! To register or learn more, contact Stacy Taylor-Bernard at stacy.taylorbernard2@redcross.org or (502) 612-9202.

Volunteer Spotlight: Mike Sewell

Mike Sewell is no stranger to the American Red Cross or to disaster services. Since he began volunteering with the Louisville Area Chapter in 2009, Mike has taken on a variety of roles. He has provided disaster and home fire safety education as a Community Preparedness member, responded to home fires and other local disasters as a Disaster Action Team (DAT) member, taught other volunteers as a disaster services instructor and has assisted in running shelters during disaster responses.

Mike (left) receiving a Volunteer of the Year award
from Steve Cunanan, Kentucky Region CEO

Mike has volunteered for more than 12,400 hours on disaster responses alone. Just a few of his deployments include assisting with flood relief efforts in Illinois in 2013 and participating in the 2017 Eclipse Readiness exercise, as well as assisting locally in Kentucky and southern Indiana with flooding, tornados and winter storms.

He also deployed for over 6 months to Louisiana in 2020 and 2021 to assist with recovery efforts after hurricanes Laura and Maria, which exceeded the two weeks of time volunteers typically commit when they deploy to a disaster. Mike puts those who need help and the Red Cross mission, above all else. He is a true representation of delivering the Red Cross mission, prioritizing the urgent needs of people impacted by disasters, and alleviating human suffering.

Interested in becoming a part of our Disaster Action Team? Visit redcross.org/volunteertoday to learn more.