Sickle cell anemia (also called sickle cell disease or SCD) patients need blood transfusions to help prevent stroke and reduce other complications resulting from the disease. While blood donations from all ethnic groups are valuable, African-American blood transfusion patients rely on blood donors of the same descent, from which they are less likely to develop antibodies which weaken their immune system.*

African-American blood donations can empower sickle cell patients to live active, healthy lives.

For patients who do not respond to medical treatment, the only known cure is a marrow or cord blood transplant. While the best donor is usually a sibling – each sibling has a 25% chance of being a match – few patients can find a healthy match within their family. Patients can then turn to the Be The Match Registry to find a matching adult marrow donor or cord blood unit.

In order to increase the chances of a cure for African-American patients, more African-Americans are needed as marrow or cord blood donors. 

*Sickle cell data obtained from the American Red Cross and U.S. CDC.