Join us as we commemorate World Sickle Cell Day and Juneteenth on June 19.
It is essential to recognize the intertwined significance of these observances in the Black community. Juneteenth acknowledges the end of slavery in the United States, symbolizing freedom, resilience, and the ongoing fight for equality. World Sickle Cell Day aims to raise awareness about Sickle Cell Disease (SCD), the most common genetic blood disorder that predominantly affects individuals of African descent.
At San Diego Blood Bank (SDBB), we emphasize the importance of these events, the continued journey toward health equity, and the critical role of blood donation in supporting sickle cell patients.
Understanding Juneteenth
Juneteenth, also known as Emancipation Day or Freedom Day, marks the day in 1865 when Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced the end of the Civil War and slavery, two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation. Juneteenth, celebrated on June 19 each year, has since evolved into a celebration of African American culture, history, and the continuous pursuit of equality and justice for Black people. It’s also an important reminder of the resilience and strength of the Black community.
Understanding Sickle Cell Anemia
Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is a hereditary blood disorder that causes red blood cells to assume a sickle or crescent shape, leading to various health complications, including chronic anemia. The misshapen red blood cells can block the flow of blood, clogging blood vessels, and preventing the delivery of oxygen to where it needs to go, causing pain, infections, organ and tissue damage, and even stroke or death.
According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), approximately 20 million people around the globe, including about 100,000 Americans, have sickle cell disease, with the majority being of African ancestry or identifying as Black.
Sickle Cell Disease is also prevalent in many people who come from Hispanic, Southern European, Middle Eastern, or Asian Indian backgrounds. There is no universal cure and this condition often requires a lifelong commitment to regular blood transfusions to manage sickle cell anemia and crisis symptoms, and prevent chronic health complications.
Just the facts about Sickle Cell Disease (SCD):
- 250 million people around the world carry the Sickle Cell Trait gene responsible for SCD and other hemoglobin diseases
- More than 100,000 people across the United States are affected by Sickle Cell Disease
- Blood transfusions are a key treatment often used to relieve Sickle Cell Disease symptoms
- Sickle Cell patients are often in a chronic state of anemia and require frequent blood transfusions
- Sickle Cell Disease is the most common genetic disease in the world
- You can donate plasma and platelets if you have the Sickle Cell Trait, but you cannot donate if you have Sickle Cell Disease
- 1 in 3 Black blood donors is a match for a patient living with Sickle Cell
- Less than 10% of Americans donate blood, and only 5% of those donors are African American
- Transfusion-dependent patients like those battling sickle cell are vulnerable and immunosuppressed, requiring precisely matched blood products to ensure the best health outcomes
- 1 in 13 African Americans in the U.S. has the Sickle Cell Trait, with a chance of having a child with SCD if both parents carry the trait
- Children with Sickle Cell Disease have a high risk of stroke; Early exchange blood transfusions can save a life and reduce disability in children
- A simple blood test can determine if you have the Sickle Cell Trait
- People with the Sickle Cell Trait carry abnormal hemoglobin genes but typically do not have symptoms
The Importance of Blood Donation in Minority Communities
Volunteer blood donors are a critical lifeline for patients with Sickle Cell Disease.
Blood transfusions help replace sickle-shaped cells with healthy ones, alleviating pain and reducing the risk of strokes. However, with more than 300 antigens inside red blood cells, precisely matching blood types is essential to ensure safe transfusions. Every time a patient receives a blood transfusion, the body responds to the new red blood cells and chooses to accept or reject those cells. Blood from donors of similar ethnic backgrounds who share those rarer antigens is more likely to result in compatible matches, reducing the risk of transfusion-related complications. This makes it vital for minority communities, especially Black donors, to contribute to the blood supply.
Band together for sickle cell warriors and give blood!
People in Your Community Need Your Support
Selina was diagnosed with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) at two weeks old, suffering a stroke and brain disease. She relies on monthly blood exchanges to manage her health. These special blood transfusions remove sickle red blood cells and replace them with whole healthy red blood cells, resulting in more energy, less pain, and a better life for Selina. Overcoming SCD is a lifelong endeavor that Selina could not do without the help of blood donors. And for that, she is incredibly grateful.
Brianna has received many blood transfusions during childhood to treat Sickle Cell Anemia. For Brianna, removing her spleen helped reduce the likelihood of needing transfusions to manage sickle cell symptoms, giving her the chance to heal. Today, Brianna is a high schooler who often shares her story at San Diego Blood Bank tours to help inspire people to become blood donors.
Brianna and Selina are just two of the thousands of people who rely on the community to ensure their health, their futures, and quality of life. Every single blood donation is a lifesaving one, especially for sickle cell warriors.
Addressing Health Equity for Minority Communities
Health equity ensures everyone has a fair and just opportunity to be as healthy as possible, regardless of their background. For too long, minority communities have faced challenges receiving equitable access to healthcare and support. Sickle cell disease disproportionately affects Black individuals who often encounter social, economic, and financial barriers to adequate treatment and care. By increasing awareness and participation in blood donation and research, we can work towards a more equitable healthcare system. That also means fighting for a cure for Sickle Cell Disease and ensuring the necessary support and treatments are available to benefit any patient battling sickle cell.
San Diego Blood Bank’s Precision Blood™ Program
At San Diego Blood Bank, our Precision Blood™ program is dedicated to ensuring that vulnerable patients from all communities have access to blood products from donors who share their ethnic backgrounds. Our Precision Blood initiative is vital for sickle cell patients who often require more frequent and specialized transfusions. By encouraging more minority donors to give blood, we can increase diversity in the donor pool, to provide more precise blood matches to patients waiting for lifesaving blood products. This can improve their quality of life and health outcomes.
Participating in the NIH’s All of Us Research Program
In addition to blood donation, participating in precision medicine research initiatives like the NIH’s All of Us Research Program is another way to advance health equity. This program aims to build a diverse database of health information to better understand how genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors affect health. By including a wide range of participants, particularly from underrepresented communities, we can develop more effective and personalized treatments for conditions like sickle cell anemia.
How You Can Help
Donate Blood
Your blood donation can save lives and fuel lifelong health, particularly for those in the Black community where the need for sickle cell support is most critical.
By donating blood with San Diego Blood Bank, you can make a direct impact on sickle cell patients in Southern California who rely on monthly blood transfusion therapies.
To donate blood, you must be at least 17 years old, weigh a minimum of 110 pounds, and be in general good health.
There are some eligibility restrictions on travel, medications, and medical history to be aware of. Take a look at our Frequently Asked Questions to find out more information on donating blood and donation requirements.
Spread Awareness
Do you know someone in your community with Sickle Cell Disease? Educate your friends, family, and community about the importance of blood donation and the unique needs of sickle cell patients.
Use your voice on social media, connect at community events, and empower local organizations to spread the word and encourage others to donate blood.
Participate in Research
Join the All of Us Research Program to contribute to a more inclusive understanding of health and disease. Your participation can help pave the way for groundbreaking discoveries and better healthcare for future generations.
To begin, you fill out a 30-minute survey and then donate a blood sample, which can be done at the same time you donate blood with San Diego Blood Bank! Join the movement today.
Partner with San Diego Blood Bank and Help Save More Lives
Help spread awareness about World Sickle Cell Day and celebrate the importance and impact of Juneteenth. Join us in making a commitment to supporting the health and well-being of the Black community. Through blood donation and active participation in research, we can make an incredible difference in the lives of those affected by sickle cell disease. San Diego Blood Bank is here to help you make that difference.
Learn more about how you can get involved and make an impact today.
Questions about donating blood? Email us at donorservices@sdbb.org or call (619)400-8251.
Resources and Helpful Links:
- National Museum of African American History & Culture – Smithsonian. “Juneteenth.” NMAAHC
- San Diego Blood Bank. “Donate Blood to Help Local Sickle Cell Patients Thrive.” San Diego Blood Bank
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. “Sickle Cell Disease.” NHLBI
- American Red Cross. “Sickle Cell Disease and Blood Donation.” American Red Cross
- Sickle Cell Anemia. “World Sickle Cell Day.” Sickle Cell Anemia
