“Minority donors, African Americans in particular, have rare compatibility traits in their blood that are unique to the African-American community. Therefore, optimal blood matches for African Americans will come from members with their same ethnic background. However, while African-Americans comprise nearly 13 percent of the US population, less than one percent are blood donors.”
INOVA Minority Donor Outreach & Education
More than 44,000 blood donations are needed daily to meet the critical need for blood supply. While progress in medicine has helped reduced the severity of SCD, donations of blood closely matching that of adults and children with Sickle Cell disease is badly needed to save lives!
One of approximately 80,000 African Americans in the U.S. has SCD. Without the right blood match for a transfusion, immune reactions can develop from a transfusion causing more complications that make future transfusions less effective.
http://www.inova.org/get-involved/blood-donor-services/minority-donor-outreach-education
http://www.inova.org/get-involved/blood-donor-services/index.jsp
If this is your first time donating blood, the link has information and facts to help you better understand the process.
Thank you for saving the life of a Sickle Cell patient and for making a difference in the lives of people who love them.
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