A new way to celebrate Black History Month: donate blood

At first glance, the connection between Black History Month and blood donation isn’t obvious.

But the connection is there.

For instance, donations from Black individuals have dropped since the pandemic began, either because people are too sick to donate, or community blood donation events have been canceled, said Laura McGuire, external communications manager for the American Red Cross, in a September 2020 Herald-News story.

But many sickle cell patients have rare blood types and rely on Black donors to donate, the Red Cross said in that story.

McGuire said about 100,000 people in the U.S. have sickle cell disease and most of them are of African American or Latino descent.

COVID-19 survivors are especially needed to address a convalescent plasma shortage. The antibodies these people may have in their plasma could potentially help patients currently battling the virus, the Red Cross said.

The Red Cross is testing blood, platelet and plasma donations for COVID-19 antibodies, not to confirm an illness but to detect immunity, the Red Cross said.

So in honor of Black History Month this year, the American Red Cross is encouraging eligible donors to honor the legacies of two African Americans - Dr. Charles Drew and Dr. Jerome Holland – by donating blood.

Drew was an African American surgeon and the medical director of the first Red Cross blood bank in 1941.

In fact, Drew’s research about the storage and shipment of blood plasma proved that blood could be stored for transfusions. Many of the processes he developed are still in use today, the Red Cross said.

Holland, as the first African American chair of the Red Cross Board of Governors, had a passion for blood research and providing the safest possible blood products for patients, which also helped to protect blood donors.

Donors who give in February will receive a $5 Amazon.com gift card, courtesy of a $1 million donation from Amazon.

Local events include:

8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Thursday, American Red Cross, 1293 Windham Parkway, Romeoville

10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Friday, Community Service Council, 440 Quadrangle Dr., Suite C, Bolingbrook

10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Feb. 24, American Red Cross, 1293 Windham Parkway, Romeoville

To make an appointment, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.

COVID-19 antibody test results will be available within one to two weeks in the Red Cross Blood Donor App or donor portal at RedCrossBlood.org.