Freedom Center hosts blood drive at Juneteenth Jubilee event on World Sickle Cell Day

The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, along with Hoxworth Blood Center, are hosting a blood drive at the Juneteenth Jubilee, 50 E. Freedom Way in Downtown Cincinnati, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday, June 19.  Donors will receive an e-gift card ($10 whole blood, $20 red cells) and a coupon for free BIGGBY® coffee! You can schedule your appointment online or call (513) 451-0910. Walk-ins are welcome as the schedule allows.

At the Freedom Center Juneteenth Jubilee, visitors can enjoy free admission to the museum, live music, food trucks and family activities. There is also a community market, where people can shop small and support local businesses. The Freedom Center says joy and community were the hallmarks of the earliest Juneteenth celebrations, bringing together people around music, food and community.

Sickle cell disease is a genetic blood disorder that causes the body to make abnormal hemoglobin, a protein found in red blood cells. The abnormal hemoglobin collects inside red blood cells and damages the cells. Damaged cells block blood flow through blood vessels.

Sickle cell disease can cause anemia and pain, as well as damage to many organs, including the heart, lungs, kidneys and brain. Treatments might include medications and blood transfusions. Best outcomes for sickle cell patients are receiving blood transfusions from a donor with a similar genetic background. Blood donors of African descent are more likely to have proteins on their red blood cells that are like proteins of sickle cell patients. Receiving that blood makes sickle cell patients less likely to develop reactions against donated blood cells. You can read more about Hoxworth employee and sickle cell survivor, Carla Howard, at this link. 

Did you know:

•  1 in 3 African American blood donors is a match for a patient with sickle cell
•  1 in 13 African Americans are born with the sickle cell trait. 1 in 365 develops the disease
•  Locally, more than 350 people in Greater Cincinnati live with the disease. Nationally 100,000 people live with sickle cell
•  There is no known cure for the disease

Every donation matters — and for those living with sickle cell disease, it can mean the difference between crisis and relief. This World Sickle Cell Day, let’s honor our shared history and strengthen our community by giving the gift of life. Join Hoxworth Blood Center at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center on June 19, and be part of a celebration rooted in hope, resilience and care for one another. Together, we can make a lasting impact for local patients in need.

To schedule your donation, please visit https://hoxworth.org, download the Hoxworth app, or call (513) 451-0910.