Blood drive set for Saturday will benefit sickle cell patients

The Blood Bank of Delmarva, in partnership with Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc, will host a blood drive in memory of Dr. Charles R. Drew, a pioneering African-American surgeon and researcher known as the “Father of the Blood Bank”.

The event is set for Saturday, Aug. 17, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and the Boys and Girls Club, 109 Glasgow Drive.

Dr. Drew, who died in 1950, is credited with inventing mobile blood donation stations, and with leading World War II’s “Blood for Britain'' project, which resulted in the world’s first large-scale blood bank.

This is the third year Omega Psi Phi has organized the event, which is aimed at increasing the number of Black donors in Delaware.

The effort has gone a long way in diversifying the local blood supply — a crucial factor for getting patients in need the best blood match possible.

“Matching of blood types often goes beyond the ABO types we all know about,” Dr. Bruce Sachais, medical director for the Blood Bank of Delmarva, explained previously. “This matching is particularly important for multiply transfused patients, such as those with sickle cell disease. Having sufficient diversity in our donors is critical to be able to allow this matching to occur.”

Sickle cell disease primarily affects Black patients, but historically, blood donation rates have been lower in the Black community.

“Sickle cell patients often require blood transfusions to improve their quality of life and relief from painful symptoms of the disease,” said Kristin Frederick, director of laboratories at the Blood Bank. “These patients have better overall outcomes when receiving blood from donors with similar demographics.”

William Garrett and his fraternity brothers organize the blood drives to be a fun community event, as well as provide education about the need for blood donors.

Sometimes hearing about the importance of donating blood from a trusted friend or family member can be the push that someone needs, he added.

“It’s not anywhere near as bad as you think it might be,” Garrett said. “Once that message has been able to land, I believe that more and more people will come out and give blood.”