NYBC urges African American, Hispanic descent to donate blood for special patients

A hospitalized single mother from Queens is calling for more African Americans to become blood donors, so that she and many others may be able to live. People may call New York Blood Center at 1-800-933-BLOOD (2566) or visit www.nybloodcenter.org for more information about giving blood, and where to donate.

Davina Daniels, 37, suffers from sickle cell disease. A Springfield Gardens resident of African American decent, she has a rare blood type.  Blood transfusions from matching African American donors are critical for her survival.  Davina was hospitalized last week in New Hyde Park, NY, after suffering from what is called sickle cell "crisis," a life-threatening situation.  But according to New York Blood Center's PreciseMatch Program, there has been difficulty finding donors who match her blood type for a transfusion.

"At this time, we have just one matching donor actively giving blood that may be used for her care," said Melinda Caltabiano, Director of New York Blood Center's PreciseMatch® Program.  "We need more African Americans to become blood donors, and give blood regularly."

While Davina Daniels is hospitalized, family members care for her teenage son, Merrik.

New York Blood Center (NYBC), which serves more than 20 million people in New York City, Long Island, the Hudson Valley, New Jersey, and parts of Connecticut and Pennsylvania, serves one of the most diverse areas in the nation.  First time blood donors of African American and Hispanic descent are particularly needed, to increase the chances of finding a blood match for special patients like Davina Daniels.

Sickle cell disease affects an estimated 70,000 to 100,000 Americans.  People with sickle cell have red blood cells that contain an abnormal type of hemoglobin. These cells can become crescent shaped, and have difficulty passing through the body's small blood vessels. This eventually damages vessels and tissues.

Sickle cell disease occurs in about one out of every 500 African Americans births, and about one out of every 36,000 Hispanic American births.  To inherit sickle cell, a child must inherit two abnormal genes, one from each parent. With only one gene, he or she will inherit the sickle cell trait.  Sickle cell trait occurs in about one in 12 African Americans.

Blood Donors play a key role in the fight against Sickle Cell Disease.  People with sickle cell disease require repeated transfusions of healthy red blood cells to replace their "sickled" ones. Over time, frequently transfused patients may build up antibodies in their blood, requiring more and more precisely matched red cell transfusions.  These can only come from someone who has inherited the same antigens, or markers, in their blood.  Like eye color, or other inherited characteristics, this "precise match" blood is most often found in someone from the same ethnic or racial background.

The goal of New York Blood Center's PreciseMatch® Program is to ensure diverse communities have access to the most precisely matched blood products whenever patients might need them, but this can't be done without public help.  Please give blood regularly, or become a blood donor today.  If you cannot donate, then please ask someone to donate for you.

NYBC urges donors who have been notified that they are a match for someone to please donate blood every 56 days, regardless of where you currently reside.

To donate blood or for information on how to organize a blood drive, Please call Toll Free:  1-800-933-2566

Visit:  www.nybloodcenter.org

SOURCE New York Blood Center