Volunteer Appreciation Month: Johnny Bell and St. Paul @ Shively

Johnny Bell, blood program leader

St. Paul Baptist Church at Shively Heights proudly has their slogan painted on the lobby wall. “Our slogan is caring and committed. One of the ways we can do that is hosting [a blood drive] here in the heart of Shively,” said Johnny Bell. Johnny is a blood program leader for the American Red Cross Kentucky Region. A retired military veteran, Johnny donates blood every 56 days at the downtown Louisville location. “One thing that motives me is that I have A- blood, and the majority of the time my blood goes to cancer patients or burn victims,” said Johnny.

Known around the community as St. Paul @ Shively, the church started hosting blood drives in June of 2021. After COVID-19 started, the church created a prayer call. Church members could call a 1-800 number for prayer requests. On one of these calls, Rosalind Thomas asked for prayers for her granddaughter, Niya, who was having a sickle cell crisis. After the church prayed for Rosalind’s family, the Pastor asked if the church could host a sickle cell blood drive.

Niya Thomas is a 20-year-old independent, bubbly, and upbeat young woman. “When she was growing up, you would never know she was sick. She liked to have fun and play with her friends,” said Rosalind. Niya is the only girl of 7 boys and graduated from Western High School in Louisville. She now lives in Baltimore with her aunt and works at GIANT foods.

“She just wants to manage her illness her way. She doesn’t want to use [her illness] as a crutch. She goes to Paul Mitchell hair school and her goal is to be a beautician,” said Rosalind. Niya has managed her sickle cell since she was a child. Rosalind described her pain and hospital stays as a “crisis.” “It’s very painful. A lot of the time [Niya] can’t even walk. It’s debilitating. She has pain in her elbows, shoulders, and limbs.”

Niya, center, with grandparents
 Rosalind and Mike

St. Paul @ Shively hosted their first blood drive in honor of Niya and have committed to hosting on a regular rotation. “Niya was so appreciative when they did the blood drive. She sent her thanks,” said Rosalind. One of the priorities for the American Red Cross Kentucky Region is to increase the number of African American or Black donors. Hosting a sickle cell blood drive is a great way to raise awareness.

“When you get a sickle cell transfusion, it’s better to get it from the ethnicity that you are,” said Johnny. When asked about the hesitation from the Black community to give blood due to history with the medical field, Rosalind expressed a sense of urgency. “I personally wish that Black people would give more. There is a great need,” said Rosalind. Historical tragedies like the Tuskegee experiment have kept African Americans or Black individuals from trusting the medical field.

Mike Thomas is Niya’s grandfather. He works at the airport and helps transport blood products on planes every day. “People would be surprised to see the full magnitude of what giving blood does,” said Mike. “I see blood getting shipped to different parts of the country daily. The Red Cross ships a lot of blood.” The Thomas family is grateful for St. Paul @ Shively’s commitment to hosting blood drives and they look forward to celebrating Niya’s 21st birthday in April.

Thank you to Johnny, Rosalind and Mike, and St. Paul @ Shively church. Together, we are helping sickle cell warriors. You can help by scheduling your appointment to donate blood! Head to Redcrossblood.org.