The regional American Red Cross held its first-ever Los Donantes Blood Drive in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month to bolster the area’s depleted blood supply.
The big picture
The blood drive was held Sept. 25 to honor and encourage Latinos to give blood during Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs until Oct. 15. Carmen Watkins, CEO of the American Red Cross Texas Gulf Coast Region, said the Greater Houston area is coming out of a blood shortage and narrowly avoided a crisis over the summer.
“When you start talking about blood of color, there’s always these issues: leukemia, sickle cell, lupus, the like, that impact these entire populations more than others,” Watkins said. “We want to not only salute Hispanic Heritage Month, but also identify blood types that save lives.”
About 60% of Hispanics and Latinos have universal Type O blood, meaning anyone can receive it, said Michael Joseph Panarella, an American Red Cross of Houston board member. About 46% of Harris County’s population identifies as Hispanic or Latino, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
The organization is “pushing hard” to get more Type O blood, Panarella said.
“Today… we wanted to take cultural pride, as we call it and turn it into lifesaving action,” Panarella said.
The event
Serenading donors as they gave blood, the Klein Collins Mariachi Band performed a variety of regional Mexican folk music.
“I just think it’s an amazing experience, just playing for people donating blood, especially for Hispanic Heritage Month,” said Christopher Vicente, a senior member of the mariachi band. “I just think it’s a very awesome experience being able to share music with people, sharing our culture.”
To donate blood, visit the Red Cross’ website.
