More African-American Blood Donors Needed in NYC

The New York Blood Center says it is in need of African-American blood donors.

Davina Daniels, 37, was hospitalized last week in New Hyde Park, NY, after suffering from what is called sickle cell “crisis,” a life-threatening situation that plagues one in 500 African Americans, while one in 12 African Americans carry the sickle cell trait.

But according to New York Blood Center’s PreciseMatch Program, there has been difficulty finding donors who match her blood type for a transfusion.

“At this time, we have just one matching donor actively giving blood that may be used for her care,” said Melinda Caltabiano, Director of New York Blood Center’s PreciseMatch® Program.  “We need more African Americans to become blood donors and give blood regularly.”

Sickle cell disease affects an estimated 70,000 to 100,000 Americans.  People with sickle cell have red blood cells that contain an abnormal type of hemoglobin. These cells can become crescent shaped, and have difficulty passing through the body’s small blood vessels. This eventually damages vessels and tissues.

Leslie Gonzalez, media relations specialist at New York Blood Center, says the lack of African-American donors has been an ongoing problem in New York City. A lot of it may be fear or lack of awareness about what it’s like to donate, she said.

“Donating blood is very simple, there’s nothing to be afraid of,” said Gonzalez. “The entire process, from walking in, to filling out the form, until the time you leave takes about an hour.”

Donors must be at least 17 years old and weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good health.

One out of every 3 people will need a life-saving transfusion sometime during their lifetime. NYBC needs close to 2,000 people a day to roll up their sleeves and give the gift of life.

And without volunteers donating within their own communities, such as Bed-Stuy, when a crisis happens -- such as the one Davina Daniels is suffering right now -- there is no blood reserve available to help her.

“Everyone knows at least one person in their family who has sickle cell. Imagine if they needed a blood transfusion, and there were no willing donors,” said Gonzalez. “Pregnant women also need blood, premature babies, burn victims need plasma… it’s really more people than we can ever imagine. And it’s an issue that is very real.”

Volunteers can donate every 56 days or up to six times a year.

In Bed-Stuy, there are three scheduled mobile blood drives for the month of March:

March 2, 2011

Brooklyn Adult Learning Center, 475 Nostrand Avenue

9:00 am – 3:00 pm

March 4, 2011

Kelso of Brooklyn, 529 Waverly Avenue

4:00 pm – 8:30 pm

March 12, 2011

Bethany Baptist Church, 460 Marcus Garvey Blvd.

10:00 am – 4:00 pm

If you would like to donate blood before then or organize a blood drive at your church or organization, please call toll-free: 1-800-933-2566 or visit: www.nybloodcenter.org .