AACRC Hosting Campus Blood Drive April 19

Kaleb Kinebrew and his twin brother Kameron, 18, need blood donors to stay alive.

The local brothers, who graduated from Colerain High School, were diagnosed at birth with sickle cell disease and require blood transfusions to help avoid potentially deadly complications from their condition.

“Most people do not see where their donation goes but I would like to tell them personally that it really affects people for the better,” said Kaleb.

Sickle cell patients need, on average, 15 to 25 blood transfusions per year. About one in every 500 African American children are born with the disease and patients respond best to blood with the same genetic heritage.

While the need is great, only four percent of donors at Hoxworth Blood Center are African American.

The African American Cultural & Resource Center (AACRC) at the University of Cincinnati is hosting a blood drive Tuesday, April 19 from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Because the blood drive falls on Taco Tuesday, we will celebrate with a free Taco Bar from Gomez Salsa starting at 11 a.m.

All donors will also take home a free limited edition t-shirt.

Hoxworth is always in need of lifesaving blood. Schedule an appointment by calling (513) 451-0910 or visit www.hoxworth.org.