Raising awareness about sickle cell disease

September is National Sickle Cell Awareness Month.

Sickle cell disease is a group of inherited red blood cell disorders. For millions around the world, their red blood cells become hard and sticky and look like a C-shaped farm tool call a sickle. The cells commonly become stuck in small blood vessels and block the flow of blood and oxygen to organs in the body, causing severe pain, organ damage, serious infection and stroke.

In the U.S., more than 100,000 people live with sickle cell disease, which occurs in 1 in 365 African-American births and 1 in 16,300 Hispanic-American births.

To help raise awareness of the disease and the need for a diversified blood supply across the U.S., Versiti Blood Centers are hosting special drives in Indiana, Wisconsin, Illinois and Michigan throughout September.

All eligible donors at the following Indiana drives will receive a National Sickle Cell Awareness Month T-shirt as a token of appreciation:

FISHERS
Noon-5 p.m. Sept. 4
Delaware Township Community Center
9094 E. 131st St.

INDIANAPOLIS
9 a.m.-2 p.m. Sept. 22
Community Health Pavilion Speedway (Versiti mobile unit blood drive)
1011 N. Main St.

INDIANAPOLIS
11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sept. 26
Fay Biccard Glick Neighborhood Center
2990 W. 71st St.

To ensure everyone’s safety during continuing coronavirus concerns, Versiti employees wear face masks or cloth face coverings and are temperature tested before their shifts. Donors are also temperature tested and prescreened before their donation. All donors are asked to wear their own face covering during their appointment.

Social distancing is being practiced at all Versiti blood drives throughout Indiana. Versiti is efficiently cleaning and disinfecting all facilities and equipment at all drives.

Donating blood takes about an hour. Anyone age 17 or older in good health who meets eligibility requirements is encouraged to give. Parental consent is required for donors age 16 to donate blood. Donors should bring a photo ID that includes their birth date.

Appointments are encouraged at any of Versiti’s seven donor centers in Indiana and at any local community blood drive. But walk-ins are always welcome. To schedule an appointment to donate blood, call 317-916-5150 or visit Versiti online.

More than 90,000 Indiana residents each year give blood through Versiti Blood Center of Indiana, formerly Indiana Blood Center, a non-profit organization founded in 1952 that operates blood donation centers in Indianapolis, Fishers, Carmel, Greenwood, Lafayette and Terre Haute. The center also operates thousands of mobile and community blood drives each year throughout the state. Versiti provides a continuous and safe supply of blood and biological services to more than 80 Indiana hospitals and their patients and beyond.