Blood donors can honor the enormous contributions African Americans have made to modern-day blood services by coming to give blood this February during Black History Month.
From medical research to leadership, African Americans have played prominent roles in helping to ensure the safety and availability of blood through the American Red Cross. In the 1940s, medical researcher Dr. Charles Drew laid the groundwork for today’s modern blood donation program through his innovative work in blood banking. And in the early 1980s, educator and U.S. Ambassador Jerome Holland streamlined the growth of Red Cross laboratories, resulting in the world-renowned Holland Research Laboratory in Rockville, Md.
“Every day, the Red Cross benefits from the talents and knowledge of people from our African American communities,” said Sharyn Whitman, CEO for the Indiana-Ohio Region of the American Red Cross. “We owe a tremendous debt to these generous Americans.”
From organizing blood drives to donating blood, African Americans make unique contributions to America’s blood supply. More than 50 percent of people of African descent have type O blood. About 20 percent of African Americans also have type B blood, which is higher than other populations. Several rare blood types are also particular to the African American community.
Post-transfusion complications can decrease when patients receive blood from donors of the same ethnic background. And that, Red Cross officials say, is important in cases when a patient needs blood every few weeks to help treat serious diseases like sickle cell.
“We need to encourage people of all ethnicities to give blood and help meet patient needs,” said Whitman. “Sometimes, it’s that one donation from one person that can make a difference in someone’s life.”
UPCOMING AMERICAN RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVES IN YOUR AREA:
- Friday, Feb. 4, from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. at Porter Hospital Valparaiso Campus in the Patio Room, located at 814 LaPorte Ave. in Valparaiso.
- Saturday, Feb. 5, from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. at Washington Evangelical Free Church in the gymnasium, located at 3805 LaPorte Ave. in Valparaiso.
- Monday, Feb. 7, from noon until 6 p.m. at the Eagles Lodge, located at 805 Elm St. in Valparaiso.
- Tuesday, Feb. 8, from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Faith Memorial Lutheran Church, located at 753 N. Calumet in Valparaiso.
- Saturday, Feb. 12, from 8:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. at Union Fire & Rescue, located at 267 North 600 West in Valparaiso.
How to Donate Blood
To schedule an appointment to donate please call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org for more information. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental permission in some states), meet weight and height requirements (110 pounds or more, depending on their height) and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. Please bring your Red Cross blood donor card or other form of positive ID when you come to donate.
About the American Red Cross
The Indiana-Ohio Blood Services Region serves northern and central Indiana and northwestern Ohio, and needs to collect about 500 units of blood a day to meet patient need in more than 60 hospitals. In addition to providing blood to our community, the American Red Cross also provides relief to victims of disaster, trains millions in lifesaving skills, serves as a communication link between U.S. military members and their families, and assists victims of international disasters or conflicts.