Central California Organizations Host Blood Drive to Address Critical Need for Sickle Cell Patients

September 23rd, 2025 7:00 AM
By: Newsworthy Staff

A collaborative blood drive in Fresno aims to address the urgent transfusion needs of sickle cell disease patients during Sickle Cell Awareness Month, highlighting the importance of African American donor participation.

Central California Organizations Host Blood Drive to Address Critical Need for Sickle Cell Patients

Every two seconds, someone in the United States needs blood, with patients living with sickle cell disease requiring particularly urgent and regular transfusions to manage complications and improve quality of life. Despite this critical need, less than 5% of eligible Americans donate blood annually, creating constant shortages for the patients who depend on it most. This pressing issue has prompted multiple Central California organizations to collaborate on a community blood drive during Sickle Cell Awareness Month.

The partnership includes Central California Blood Center, Cayenne Wellness Center, B Awesum, River Park – Art Groove Gallery, and Fresno Metro Black Chamber of Commerce, who are hosting the event on Thursday, September 25, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at River Park's Art Groove Event Center located at 80 E. Via Del Oro, Fresno, CA 93720. The collaboration emphasizes a crucial medical reality: patients with sickle cell disease often require frequent transfusions, and the best matches typically come from African American donors, making targeted donation efforts essential for effective treatment.

Shanti Johnson-Harris, Community Health Worker for Cayenne Wellness Center in Central California, emphasized the life-saving impact of blood donation, stating that for sickle cell warriors, a single donation can mean fewer hospital visits, better health outcomes, and the priceless gift of hope. Melanie Glass, CEO and Founder of B Awesum, added that from personal experience, she knows the powerful impact that awareness can create, noting that B Awesum's participation in the blood drive for sickle cell disease is not only about giving back but about shining light on a cause that saves lives and strengthens the community.

The event represents a significant community health initiative addressing a specific medical disparity. Sickle cell disease predominantly affects African Americans, with approximately 1 in 365 Black or African American births affected by the condition according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The specialized blood matching requirements mean that increasing donation rates within the African American community directly translates to better healthcare outcomes for sickle cell patients. Organizations like Cayenne Wellness Center, which is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 2000 and dedicated to improving the quality of life for individuals living with sickle cell disease in California, provide essential support structures for these efforts.

The blood drive's timing during Sickle Cell Awareness Month amplifies its importance, bringing heightened attention to a disease that affects approximately 100,000 Americans according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Community-based approaches to blood donation have proven effective in addressing specific patient population needs, particularly when coordinated with organizations that have established trust within affected communities. The partnership model demonstrated by this event shows how multiple stakeholders can collaborate to address healthcare disparities through practical, life-saving actions that benefit both immediate patients and the broader community health infrastructure.

Source Statement

This news article relied primarily on a press release disributed by 24-7 Press Release. You can read the source press release here,

blockchain registration record for the source press release.
;