September is National Sickle Cell Awareness Month. The Black African Coalition at ASU hosted a blood drive to collect lifesaving blood donations for those in need, such as individuals affected by sickle cell disease.
The month highlights the need for research and treatment for the genetic blood disorder.
Sickle cell disease is a group of inherited blood disorders that primarily affect red blood cells.
Red blood cells, which are normally round, take on a sickle or crescent moon shape, causing them to stick together and block blood flow. This leads to episodes of chronic pain and other health complications.
Sickle cell disease affects over 8 million people worldwide. In the United States, over 90% of those affected are non-Hispanic Black or African American, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.
One way to temporarily relieve the symptoms of sickle cell disease is through blood transfusion. Donated blood is administered to the sickle cell patient, reducing the ratio of sickle cells and increasing the number of normal blood cells.
Although this treatment provides comfort, patients need frequent blood transfusions because its effects are not permanent.
Antanette Griffith, BAC community liaison and a senior studying psychology, said the coalition puts on a blood drive every year as a way to give back to the community.
This year, the BAC partnered with Vitalant Blood Donation to host a mobile blood drive to support Sickle Cell Awareness Month.
She said the BAC is an umbrella of multiple organizations that works to create a safe space on campus for students of Black, African and Caribbean descent.
"It's really important to have spaces for these groups that aren't always represented in the biggest ways," Griffith said. "We serve to create those safe spaces on campus where students can feel free to see people that look like themselves."
She said the blood drive is not just a way to raise awareness for sickle cell disease. It is also aimed at helping provide resources as many people within the Black community are predisposed to health condiitons that prevent them from being eligible to donate blood.
Whether or not a student chooses to donate blood, this event gives them a way to contribute to the community, Griffith said.
"Donating isn't the only way that you can help," Griffith said. "Spreading awareness, giving other people the opportunity to come and donate blood if they want to, that would be a huge help."
Tom Bryson, account associate at Vitalant, worked the blood drive, educating students about the urgent need for blood donations.
Bryson said that Vitalant provides blood to 100% of the hospitals across Maricopa County. In order for Vitalant to meet the needs of medical patients, 700 donations need to be made every day.
"You feel good every time you donate blood because you help save somebody's life," Bryson said. "We need the healthy people to help people that are really struggling, that might have a disease that they need monthly transfusions."
Bryson said that although the college campus environment is busy and fast-moving, the atmosphere of the event was positive.
"The blood donors are priceless to me because they're taking time anonymously to give a pint of blood to help somebody they don't even know," Bryson said.
BAC Intern Hendrix Wilson, a sophomore studying biological sciences, said students have been very accepting and curious. Students who weren't comfortable giving blood were still interested in learning about the cause.
Wilson said she donated blood despite her fear of needles, and those administering the blood draws were kind and made the experience comfortable.
"I was so excited but so nervous," Wilson said. "It was very quick, and I loved it. It's just nice to give back."
The BAC blood drive not only brought sickle cell awareness to campus, but also gave Sun Devils the opportunity to save lives through donating blood.
"It's really important that we are able to contribute to a purpose that's greater than ourselves," Griffith said. "It's a small effort, but it still means a lot just to give blood to those who aren't the healthiest."
Edited by Dhemi Bell, Emilio Alvarado, Grace Lawrence and Sophia Keeling.
Reach the reporter at akbrow36@asu.edu.
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