RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — During Sickle Cell Awareness Month, the Red Cross of Virginia is encouraging anyone who is eligible to give blood to help those who need it.
32-year-old Preston Page was diagnosed with a sickle cell disease at six months old and has dealt with many trials and tribulations in his life.
“A lot of pain, crises, transfusions, pediatric sickle cell treatment navigating that is definitely different and evolves as you get older,” Page said.
Page is one of around 500 people in the Richmond area living with a sickle cell disease, according to Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Health, which sees more than 1,200 sickle anemia patients from around Virginia.
The Red Cross Virginia Region Medical Director Courtney Lawrence said blood transfusions are heavily relied on by patients. About 33% of Americans are eligible to give but only 3% come in to donate, according to the Red Cross.
“More than 90% of patients with sickle cell disease will need a blood transfusion at some point during their lives,” Lawrence said. “It’s not always in times when they are needing emergency care. We have patients with sickle cell disease that need transfusions every single month just to go out and do their normal daily lives.”
The Red Cross Emerging Markets Account Manager Mary Coleman said more than 90% of sickle cell patients are non-Hispanic Black or African American. She said more donors will be needed to bridge the gap and give patients the help they need.
“There is some healing that’s still needed between the Black community and the medical community,” Coleman said. “There’s some suspicion and concern, so our education is designed to help allay those concerns and those fears.”
Page is encouraging everyone to lend a helping hand.
“You can save a life. You can save a child’s life and you could save an adult life,” Page said.
For more information on sickle cell disease and where to donate, click here.
