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

The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center and Hoxworth Blood Center, University of Cincinnati, are partnering to host a blood drive during the Freedom Center's Juneteenth Jubilee celebration on Friday, June 19, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, 50 E. Freedom Way, Cincinnati. Donors can schedule an appointment online or call (513) 451-0910. Walk-ins are welcome as the schedule allows.

The Freedom Center's Juneteenth Jubilee offers free admission to the museum, live music, food trucks, family-friendly activities, and a community market featuring local businesses. According to the Freedom Center, joy and community were hallmarks of the earliest Juneteenth celebrations, bringing people together through music, food, and fellowship.

June 19 is also recognized worldwide as World Sickle Cell Day, an opportunity to raise awareness and increase public understanding of sickle cell disease (SCD). Sickle cell disease remains a significant yet often overlooked global health challenge, affecting millions of people around the world. Each year, countries across the globe observe World Sickle Cell Day to highlight the needs of those living with the disease and the importance of community support.

What is Sickle Cell Disease?

Sickle cell disease is a genetic blood disorder that causes the body to produce abnormal hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells responsible for carrying oxygen. The abnormal hemoglobin damages red blood cells, causing them to become rigid and sickle-shaped. These damaged cells can block blood flow through blood vessels, leading to pain, organ damage, and other serious health complications.

Sickle cell disease can cause anemia, severe pain episodes, and damage to organs including the heart, lungs, kidneys, and brain. Treatment options may include medications and blood transfusions.

Patients receiving ongoing transfusion therapy often experience the best outcomes when they receive blood from donors with similar genetic backgrounds. Blood donors of African descent are more likely to have red blood cell characteristics that closely match those of patients living with sickle cell disease. These closely matched donations can help reduce the risk of transfusion-related complications and improve patient outcomes.

Hoxworth encourages eligible donors, especially those of African descent, to consider donating blood to help support local patients living with sickle cell disease.

Did you know?

• 1 in 3 African American blood donors is a match for a patient with sickle cell disease.
• 1 in 13 African Americans are born with the sickle cell trait, and 1 in 365 develops sickle cell disease.
• More than 350 people in Greater Cincinnati are living with sickle cell disease, while approximately 100,000 people nationwide are affected.
• There is currently no widely available cure for sickle cell disease.