Muhammad Ali Center Gives Back Through Blood Donation During Ali Festival

Muhammad Ali once said: “Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.” These words lay the foundation for the Muhammad Ali Center (MAC). Located in Ali’s beloved hometown of Louisville, Kentucky, the MAC is dedicated to giving back to the community and being a beacon for social justice. “The staff here curate events and activities that Muhammad would be proud we are taking the lead on,” said Jeanie Kahnke, MAC senior director of public relations and external affairs.

Lonnie Ali, Ali Center

Opening in 2005, the Muhammad Ali Center operates from Muhammad’s six core principles: confidence, conviction, dedication, giving, respect, and spirituality. One way the MAC has given back to the community is through a partnership with the American Red Cross Kentucky Region to host blood drives. The center has committed to host blood drives twice a year. One in January around Muhammad’s birthday, and another in June during the Ali Festival. This year’s Ali Festival will be held during June 3rd through June 9th, 2022.

The annual Ali Festival started 6 years ago on June 3rd, 2016, when Muhammad passed away. Thousands of people from across the country gathered in Louisville to pay respects and remember Muhammad. They wanted to learn and feel close to him. 25,000 people gathered at the MAC that week. The Louisville Mayor designed activities to help people feel as if they are a part of the city and unify them. From there, the Ali Festival was born.

John Ramsey, Wave 3 News host and
friend of Muhammad Ali, donates blood
at the Ali Center

“One of Muhammad’s core principles was giving. Giving blood can save lives, and there is nothing more precious than life,” said Jeanie. The blood drive this past January had a great turnout with Lonnie Ali, Muhammad’s wife, and Marilyn Jackson, MAC President & CEO donating. The Red Cross Kentucky Region blood drive will be held on June 8th from 11AM-5PM located in View Pointe Hall at the Ali Center.

World Sickle Cell Day is June 19th, and Jeanie commented on the importance of doing the blood drive in June, saying, “Sickle cell disease affects a large proportion of African Americans. It’s important to raise awareness and provide education. We are happy to have the blood drive so close to World Sickle Cell Day, and we hope this amplifies the needs in the community.” Sickle Cell disease is caused by a patient’s red blood cells being hard and crescent moon shaped instead of soft and round. This causes tremendous amount of pain for patients, and they require frequent blood transfusions throughout the span of their lifetime. This disease predominately effects the Black community.

When asked about the importance of giving back to others, Jeanie said, “There’s so much sadness and tragedy in the world right now. Everything is changing so fast. We can and should do our part to make this community as close and good as we can.” We are proud to partner with the Muhammad Ali Center and you can sign up for an appointment at our blood drive by going to redcrossblood.org.

The Ali Festival will feature a week full of family friendly events and activities. To check out the full list of events, head to the Ali Festival website.