Red Cross HBCU Ambassador Raises Awareness about Sickle Cell Disease

This Black History Month, we are honoring Black men and women whose contributions are essential to our humanitarian mission. #BlackHistoryMonth

Mikayla Lomax is a product of generational Black excellence in her family. Attending Kentucky State University (KSU), an Historically Black College and University (HBCU), Mikayla is completing her nursing degree. “My family is big on choosing HBCU’s. Everybody in my entire family has gone to an HBCU and we just believe why not support schools that are made for you?” she said.

She chose KSU because it’s close to home and the university has an excellent nursing program. Mikayla is from Indianapolis, IN. She is a proud legacy member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. (AKA) and Circle K- a group providing community service and promoting campus engagement.

“[AKA] is a family tradition. All the women in my family have been a part of this sisterhood. We prioritize service to mankind and good grades. It is a lifetime commitment,” said Mikayla. She loves the close-knit family environment provided by HBCU’s. She expressed that everyone who attends a HBCU knows that you will have these connections for life. “It’s a relief to come somewhere where your blackness is celebrated,” said Mikayla.

Mikayla was selected as a scholarship recipient for the American Red Cross HBCU ambassador program. To be selected, Mikayla went through an application and interview process. She then learned more about sickle cell disease and other blood diseases. “We learned why blood donation is important and what’s required to be an ambassador…And how to put on successful blood drives,” said Mikayla.

Mikayla is managing the recruitment of blood donors for the upcoming KSU blood drive on Wednesday, February 15th. The drive is open to the public and she hopes to recruit around 35 blood donors to attend. “I enjoy getting the sign ups! I tell people about the Amazon.com gift card. [If people are nervous about donating] I tell them it’s not going to take that long and to eat well and drink water,” said Mikayla.

It's important to Mikayla to raise awareness about sickle cell disease. “Going to an HBCU, [sickle cell] mainly effects people of color. You will always come across people who are affected by the disease or have the sickle cell trait. We need to know that the best blood for African Americans comes from African Americans,” she said.

Mikayla had the values of community service and volunteering instilled in her early on. “I’ve grown up with those principles. I was in Jack and Jill of America. You get what you give out. If you’re not willing to help others, how can you expect help when you need it?” She is living out those principles daily and helping people in her community. After graduation, Mikayla hopes to go into pediatric nursing.

Wherever she goes, we know Mikayla will soar! We are thankful for her efforts in the Red Cross HBCU ambassador program and look forward to watching her grow. If you are interested in attending the upcoming KSU blood drive, go to redcrossblood.org and enter keyword: KSUFrankfort. To learn more about becoming a volunteer, go to redcross.org/volunteer.

#MyStoryMonday: Greensburg United Methodist Church

Karen with her granddaughter
from Louisville.

“When you volunteer, you are doing God’s work. You are not getting paid for it. You don’t do it for the accolades. You do it because it’s important. Volunteering is part of your heart.” Karen Warren is the Red Cross Blood Program Leader at Greensburg United Methodist Church in Kentucky. The church has a proud tradition of hosting regular blood drives since 1964. Mrs. Anne Frank started the effort in Green County, and her legacy lives on. “I’ve been with it about 21 years,” said Karen. “I had an aunt that worked with the county clerk and volunteered at the blood drive. I told Mrs. Anne when I retire, I was going to volunteer too. She said okay- you’re going to have to take over when I can’t do it anymore.”

Mrs. Anne with her daughter at the
American Red Cross National Headquarters
in Washington, DC

Mrs. Anne is 92 years old and was the Red Cross Blood Program Leader for 45 years. She has kept a journal of all the volunteers, their hours and the donations collected. “The volunteers are wonderful. We couldn’t do it without them. It’s important to have volunteers because you wouldn’t get anything done without them,” said Mrs. Anne. Greensburg has hosted 331 blood drives, collected 22,859 pints of blood (equaling 2,857 gallons), and saved up to 68,577 lives. Karen now keeps the journal and adds in the information after each blood drive. 

“We’re averaging around 70 units each blood drive. It can fluctuate to 80 and sometimes 60. It’s amazing what we can do. We have politicians that remember to come down. Mrs. Anne’s sons know that if they don’t get down to the blood drive, they will be in trouble. It’s a family affair,” said Karen. That’s the perfect word to describe the Green County community: family. Karen and Anne both expressed the people are why they love giving back. Karen was a teacher for 27 years in the county, and she sees older students who stop her in town to ask when the blood drive is.

Mrs. Anne with Clinton Kelly,
a blood donor who gave over 25 gallons

The Greensburg Record-Herald puts reminders in the newspaper. The radio station gives Karen airtime on the day of so she can encourage people to roll up a sleeve. Karen has a robust list of volunteers she can call on, and they are dedicated to their work. “They put it on their calendar and make sure nothing else is booked that day,” said Karen. In the past they have done a blood drive competition with 3 or 4 fire departments, and that brought in new regular blood donors. Walmart has supported the church efforts in donating cakes and pizza.

“We have so many people who have been important to us that we want to keep it going, and keep on giving,” expressed Karen. She makes sure she has time at every blood drive to mingle with the community members. She makes a point to get to know them, say thank you, and make them feel welcome. Karen’s granddaughter has now expressed an interest in assisting recruitment of donors and volunteer in the canteen area. She helped the church get appointments by doing a video in her basketball uniform and saying “You want to be a winner? Go donate blood!”

Mrs. Anne with three of her sons and only daughter,
 along with Karen and the Mayor when she
was honored with 42 years of service

Mrs. Anne is very proud of the success the blood drive continues to have. She calls Karen after every drive and asks for a full report of how the day went. “I call her as soon as I get home and tell her everything went well,” said Karen. Mrs. Anne is easily recognized as a community leader and is thankful for the support she’s received. “You should always give people reasons they should donate and let them know they can save a life,” said Mrs. Anne.

Greensburg United Methodist Church is a special partner, and we are thankful for their continued dedication to helping hospital patients. For information on hosting a blood drive or donating blood, go to redcrossblood.org. For more information on how to become a volunteer, please visit redcross.org/volunteer.

Photos provided by Karen Warren and Anne Frank.