By Stephen Walsh
A recent American Red Cross blood drive in Sacramento was a special day for Tashamia Barrow and her two young sons. Not only was it to be Tashamia’s first time donating blood, but she was there in support of her two young sons who are dealing with sickle cell disease.
The drive, held in partnership with the Cayenne Wellness Center and the Center of Praise Ministries, was organized to to bring awareness to the Red Cross Sickle Cell Initiative and hopefully find donors whose blood can be used to treat the disease.
Our regional partner SMUD is proud to sponsor the Red Cross Sickle Cell Initiative.
Tashamia said her one-year-old son, Isiah, has full-blown sickle cell disease and her two-year-old son, Ike, has the sickle cell trait but no symptoms. “Knowing what he’s going to go through when he’s getting older – that’s what’s inspiring me to donate, Tashamia said, looking at Ike.
When people donate blood, the blood is tested for specific antigens that are needed to treat sickle cell disease. If the blood contains those characteristics, the Red Cross notifies those donors so they can help sickle cell patients by donating whole blood, plasma, or platelets.
Learn more about the Red Cross Sickle Cell Initiative here.
“I didn’t know the effect my blood can have. Now that I know, I’m encouraging others to donate to save lives,” Tashamia said, thanking the Cayenne Wellness Center for helping to educate her about the disease.
Visit redcrossblood.org to schedule your blood donation. You can also make a financial donation in support of the Red Cross at redcross.org/donate.
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