The blood drives, which are supported by Medical City Healthcare’s Black Colleague Network, aim to offset seasonal blood shortages while providing benefits to sickle cell patients, according to a news release. The two organizations previously partnered together in 2022 with the same goal.
What you need to know
Red Cross will host blood drives at the following times and locations:
- Medical City Las Colinas: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. July 20
- Medical City Frisco: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. July 27
- Medical City McKinney: 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Aug. 2
- Medical City Fort Worth: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Aug. 18
- Medical City Lewisville: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Aug. 18
- Medical City North Hills: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Aug. 23
Red Cross also hosted blood drives at Medical City locations in Alliance, Arlington, Denton and Plano as part of the campaign, according to the news release.
Donors must be age 16 or older, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in general good health to donate whole blood, according to Red Cross’ website. Donors of African or African American descent are encouraged to donate because they can help provide the most compatible blood match for patients with sickle cell disease.
A full list of donor eligibility requirements can be found online.
Some context
Sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disorder and affects one out of every 365 Black or African American births, according to Red Cross. People with the disease have red blood cells that mostly contain an abnormal hemoglobin type called hemoglobin S. These blood cells are stiff and sometimes block small blood vessels causing complications.
There is no widely used cure and people with the disease may need as many as 100 units of blood each year to treat for pain, risk of stroke or other complications.
Red Cross launched a national initiative in 2021 to reach more blood donors who can help patients with sickle cell disease, according to the news release. Blood donations from people of the same race or similar ethnicity and blood type are the most effective way to help patients experiencing complications from sickle cell disease.
Quote of note
“A diverse blood supply is critical to improving health outcomes for all patients – especially those with sickle cell disease,” said Brian Moeschler, regional donor services executive for the American Red Cross North Texas Region, in a statement. “As an organization dedicated to alleviating suffering, a blood transfusion can make a critical difference and we want to thank Medical City Healthcare for their compassionate contributions to this lifesaving cause.”
