LifeSouth Seeks Sickle Cell Heroes for National Sickle Cell Awareness Month

September is Sickle Cell Awareness Month, and LifeSouth Community Blood Centers is seeking Sickle Cell Heroes to support local sickle cell disease (SCD) patients.

SCD is a genetic blood disorder characterized by thin, crescent-shaped red blood cells that struggle to pass through blood vessels, unlike healthy, disc-shaped red blood cells. Patients with SCD may experience chronic fatigue, recurrent episodes of severe pain, breathlessness, and a higher risk of complications such as stroke, liver disease, and delayed growth.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, SCD affects approximately 100,000 Americans. It is found in about one in every 365 Black or African-American children born in the United States, and one in 16,300 Hispanic-American children.

LifeSouth’s 365 Movement focuses on raising awareness about the need for Black or African-American donors and other donors with rare blood types to help patients who need specially matched blood for transfusions throughout the year.

“A safe and stable blood supply is crucial to ensuring patients with chronic illnesses like sickle cell disease receive the best care,” said Sharon Carpenter, District Director of LifeSouth Community Blood Centers. “The need for Sickle Cell Heroes is significant. All eligible donors are encouraged to visit a LifeSouth donor center to learn more about our 365 Movement.”

Individuals with SCD often require blood transfusions to increase the amount of healthy red blood cells in their bloodstream and reduce the effects of sickle-shaped cells. LifeSouth collaborates with hospitals to match SCD patients with Sickle Cell Heroes—donors whose red blood cells are specifically matched to minimize complications from transfusions. The best matches are typically found within a patient’s own ethnic group.

To support Sickle Cell Awareness Month, consider the following actions:

• Join the 365 Movement by organizing regular blood drives to help find potential matches for SCD patients.
• Visit a LifeSouth donor center or blood drive to donate blood. Each donation will be tested to identify potential Sickle Cell Heroes.
• Donate as frequently as possible if your blood antigen profile matches. If identified as a Sickle Cell Hero, your donations will aid a local patient living with SCD.

For more information, visit LifeSouth.org/SickleCell. Donors must be at least 17 years old (or 16 with parental permission), weigh a minimum of 110 pounds, and be in good health. A photo ID is also required. LifeSouth’s donor center in Columbus is located at 5550 Whittlesey Blvd., open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For additional information, including upcoming blood drives, call LifeSouth toll-free at 888-795-2707 or visit LifeSouth.org.