In commemoration of National Sickle Cell Month in September, the Community Blood Center of the Carolinas (CBCC) and the Carolinas Sickle Cell Collaborative are raising awareness about the need for blood donors – and in particular African American donors – to help treat area sickle cell patients.

The Carolinas Sickle Cell Collaborative (#StepUp4Sickle) is a joint effort between Community Blood Center of the Carolinas, regional healthcare providers, sickle cell advocacy partners and local African American community leaders. Partners include Carolinas HealthCare System, Piedmont Health Services and Sickle Cell Agency, Sickle Cell Partners of the Carolinas and individual community advocates. The mission of the Collaborative is to cultivate hope, inspire compassion and improve the quality of life for local sickle cell patients in need of specially matched blood.

The goals of the Carolinas Sickle Cell Collaborative include: 1) increase awareness about sickle cell disease 2) identify more blood donor matches for sickle cell patients in our community; 3) increase the number of African American blood donors to support these patients; and 4) involve more African American organizations in hosting blood drives throughout the year.

Studies show that 90,000 people in the United States have sickle cell disease and that 98 percent of those are African American. Although sickle cell is not unique to African Americans, it is more frequently diagnosed in the African American patient population in the U.S. These patients often need regular blood transfusions from donors with matching blood types and similar blood characteristics. The best match usually comes from other African American donors.

“We are deeply committed to championing the needs of local sickle cell patients who require life-saving blood,” said Martin Grable, president and CEO of the Community Blood Center of the Carolinas. “We urge the public, and especially African American donors who are typically the best match for sickle cell patients, to come out and donate blood either at one of our donor centers or at a community blood drive.”

To make an appointment at any center or mobile drive, visit www.cbcc.us or call 704-972-4700.

In line with the attached proclamation from the mayor, the community will come together for a variety of Sickle Cell Awareness events:

Saturday, September 12

Shoal Creek Baptist Community Blood Drive

10:00AM – 1:00PM

2707 Shoal Creek Rd.

Shelby, NC 28152

Saturday, September 12

Jonahville AME Zion Church Community Blood Drive

9:00AM – 1:00PM

10600 Asbury Chapel Rd

Huntersville, NC 28078

Saturday, Sept. 12

Piedmont Health Services and Sickle Cell Agency Sickle Cell Run/Walk 3K

8:00AM

The Dog House

401 W. Morehead Street

Charlotte, NC 28202

Hosted by Piedmont Health Services and Sickle Cell Agency (PHSSCA). CBCC will be onsite to support the needs of local sickle cell patients and its partnership with PHSSCA in the Carolinas Sickle Cell Collaborative.

Wednesday, September 16

Mayfield Memorial Baptist Community Blood Drive

3:00–6:00PM

700 W Sugar Creek Rd

Charlotte, NC 28213

Saturday, September 19

Friendship Missionary Baptist Church Community Blood Drive

Noon – 4:00PM

3400 Beatties Ford Rd

Charlotte, NC 28216

Saturday, Sept. 19

CW Williams Community Health Center Health Fair promoting sickle cell awareness

10:00AM – 2:00PM

CW Williams Community Health Center

3333 Wilkinson Blvd.

Charlotte, NC 28208

CBCC will be onsite to support the needs of local sickle cell patients through the Carolinas Sickle Cell Collaborative.

Sunday, September 20

Life Center International Community Blood Drive

7:00–10:00AM

10220 Ardrey Kell Rd

Charlotte, NC 28277

Saturday, September 26

New Zion Missionary Baptist Community Blood Drive

8 AM – 11 AM

217 West Todd Lane

Charlotte, NC 28208

Sunday, September 27

Ebenezer Baptist Community Blood Drive

8:00AM – 1:00PM

2020 W. Sugar Creek Road

Charlotte, NC 28262

About Community Blood Center of the Carolinas

The Community Blood Center of the Carolinas (CBCC) is a non-profit community-based blood center and the primary blood supplier to 27 regional hospitals, serving 19 North Carolina and three South Carolina counties. CBCC focuses exclusively on gathering red blood cells, platelets and plasma from volunteer donors to save local lives here in the Carolinas. Every drop stays here, saving local lives. CBCC is a member of America’s Blood Centers, North America’s largest network of community-based, independent blood centers providing more than 50% of the nation’s blood supply.

For more information on hosting a blood drive or donating blood in your area, visit www.cbcc.us or call 704-972-4700.

Follow the Community Blood Center of the Carolinas on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/BloodCenter, on Instagram https://instagram.com/cbccarolinas/ and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/CBCCarolinas.