Langston University & Red Cross Host Blood Drive For Sickle Cell Patients

September is National Sickle Cell Awareness Month and Langston University is teaming up with American Red Cross to host blood drives at their Tulsa, Langston and Oklahoma campuses. 

Wednesday there will be a blood drive at Langston University. The organizers said there's a need for diverse donors because it can change the life of those living with sickle cell disease today. 

"It's very important that we as a community do what we can to make sure that we're taking care of each other. We are our brother and sister's keeper," said Velvet Brown-Watts, supporter.  

Sickle cell disease is a disorder that causes red blood cells to become misshapen and break down. Patients often need blood transfusions for treatment. 

According to the CDC, sickle cell is a top genetic disease in the United States with 40,000 patients in Oklahoma. 

Shaquanda Lewis is one of them.  

"Getting blood from other people helps us regain life in our blood," said Lewis.   

Lewis said she was diagnosed with sickle cell when she was only 13 years old. She said it hasn't been easy and sometimes the days are tough. 

"It affects every single thing in your day to life. Like, whew it's so hard," said Lewis. 

Organizers said COVID-19 has made it harder to get enough blood donations. They said that's why it is crucial donors show up Wednesday. 

"The sickle cell community was already marginalized and COVID just shined a light on the bigger health disparity that people were facing and particularly the sickle cell community," said Brown-Watts.  

The blood drives will be at Langston University's Tulsa, Oklahoma City and Langston campuses Wednesday. 

The drives in Tulsa and Oklahoma City will be from 2:30 p.m. to 7:30 pm. 

The one in Langston will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

"Every time you donate you save three lives," said Brown-Watts.               

One of those lives could be someone like Lewis. 

"I enjoy everything that I do and living with sickle cell is not going to stop it. It's just going to prove how strong and resilient I am," said Lewis.  

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