PEORIA (25News Now) - The American Red Cross is encouraging blood donations from diverse backgrounds as World Sickle Cell Day and Juneteenth highlight the need for compatible blood for patients living with sickle cell disease.
Sickle cell disease is the most common genetic blood disorder in the U.S., affecting an estimated 100,000 people, most of them of African descent. The red blood cells can become hard and crescent-shaped, making it harder for blood to move through the body and carry oxygen. That can trigger severe pain, anemia, infections, and strokes.
Many patients need regular blood transfusions throughout their lives. When someone receives frequent transfusions, they often need blood that is more closely matched.