“Red Cross: African American blood donors needed”

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the amount American Red Cross blood drives and blood donations.

41nbc news.

Lawler and ford say... they have not laid off any staff.

Ford says... he plans to open on friday, june fifth.

The american red cross needs blood donations from african americans.

The agency is encouraging healthy individuals to give blood for patients who rely on transfusions during this uncertain time.

"standup: according to doctor?in the u.s., about 100,000 people are living with sickle cell disease, most are of african or latino descent.

In georgia that number is around 8- thousand according to the c-d-c.

And since mid-march, the number of african americans donating blood with the red cross has dropped by more than half."

"due to blood drive cancellations at businesses, churches and schools well as the disproportionate covid-19 infection rates for african americans community."

Ronnika mcfall spokesperson for the american red cross says this may be a challenging time to give blood- but the agency needs the help of healthy donors of american american descent to maintain a diverse blood supply mcfall tells me if patients with sickle cel?doesnt get a transfusion when neede?the patient can experience severe health effects such as pain, tissue and organ damage, acute anemia "even strokes" according to doctors sickle cell disease is the most common genetic blood disease in the u.s. patients with the disease depend on blood that must match closely to reduce risk of complications mcfall says the american red cross has a need for blood of all ethnicity however african american donors play an important role within sickle cell treatment because the group is important for many patients with rare blood types "certain blood characteristics are inherited making them more likely to be found within certain blood donor groups" if interested in donatin?the agency requires donors to schedule an appointment and to wear a mask or face covering while at the blood drive im