Watch the Facebook Live interview with D-Wayne from KFRX 106.3 and Nebraska Community Blood Bank’s Dr. Jed Gorlin about sickle cell disease for Sickle Cell Awareness Month.
1 in 365 African-American newborns has sickle cell disease, and 1 in 13 are born with sickle cell trait. Multiple blood transfusions can be the only relief from frequent episodes of pain and complications. Yet patients who receive frequent transfusions can develop antibodies against donated blood, and finding a donor whose antigens match becomes increasingly difficult.
Donors who are sickle trait negative are candidates to give a very special gift to someone battling the pain of sickle cell. Nebraska Community Blood Bank’s Sickle Cell Donor Program uses an extensive typing process to screen donors and match their blood to patients in need.
Please consider asking to be typed at your next donation to find out if you are a candidate for sickle cell donations and check yes to this question on your health history questionnaire. People of African American descent are especially needed for this program. Learn how your special commitment can help these courageous fighters and what you can do to help others in our community battling this painful disease.
Learn more: Teresa’s Story
For more information, please call 402-486-9419.
