Blood Drive Series For 11-Month-Old With Sickle Cell Anemia

The family of 11-month-old Sickle Cell patient Christian Olivia is partnering with the New York Blood Center to host a series of blood drives in time for Olivia's first birthday on Saturday.

Olivia was diagnosed with Sickle Cell Anemia when she was born and has spent much of her young life in hospital receiving treatment for the disease.

The first blood drive will be held on Sunday, April 14, from 10:30am to 4:30pm at the Manhasset Great Neck Hagedorn Community Center. More info on the blood drives below.

Olivia's aunt, Cherie Ferby-Guy, said, "Christian is a fighter and we hope her story helps raise awareness about Sickle Cell diseases and inspires everyone who can to donate blood now and in the future. Blood donations help critically reduce pain for patients like Christian and we are grateful to all those who have donated already."

Andrea Cefarelli, Senior Executive Director of Donor Recruitment & Marketing at the New York Blood Center, said, "The sad truth is that Christian is not alone -- every day we hear from hospitals and patients that rely on blood donations. By taking an hour out of their day to donate, New Yorkers can help ensure that patients like Christian have access to the blood they need."

Blood transfusions help ensure Sickle Cell patients have enough healthy red blood cells and critically reduce chronic pain. Olivia spends roughly 7-14 days every month in hospital receiving blood transfusions that help ease her pain and she will continue to do so until she finds a bone marrow match.

Patients with Sickle Cell disorders produce red blood cells that are in a crescent (or sickle) shape, unlike normal healthy red blood cells, which are round. Sickle Cells have shorter life spans than healthy red blood cells, often resulting in a shortage of available red blood cells to carry oxygen around the body. Sickle Cells also often get caught in small blood vessels and block blood flow, causing pain.

Olivia is not alone and her family hopes these blood drives will help raise awareness about her condition. About one in every 365 black children is born with Sickle Cell disease and requires countless transfusions.

UPCOMING BLOOD DRIVES:

Sunday, April 14, 2019
10:30a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Manhasset Great Neck Hagedorn Community Center
65 High Street, Manhasset, NY 11030

Monday, May 13, 2019
7:00a.m. to 9:00p.m.
Long Island Jewish Medical Center and Cohen's Children Medical Center
270-05 76th Avenue, New Hyde Park, NY 11040

Tuesday, May 14, 2019
7:00a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
North Shore University Hospital
300 Community Drive, Manhasset, NY 11030

Donated blood is perishable and hospitals must have access to a continuous supply to ensure that all patients can receive the life-saving blood they need when it counts. It only takes one hour to donate, and a single donation can save multiple lives. Those in need include people with Sickle Cell disorders, as well as cancer patients, accident, burn, or trauma victims, newborn babies and their mothers, transplant recipients, surgery patients, and many more.