'It touches so many different people:' American Red Cross hosts sickle cell blood drive

A blood drive Saturday helped provide support for and raise awareness around a disease that impacts millions across the globe.

Sickle cell disease is the most common genetic blood disease in America and primarily affects the African American community.

Wendy Tabron, American Red Cross-National Biomedical Partnership Officer, said the Red Cross needs blood every two minutes.

"When you know that you could possibly match to support a sickle cell patient, you should run because that patient is lying in the hospital, possibly sick and waiting for blood," she said.

That's why the blood drive at Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Saturday was so vital. The American Red Cross hosted the event to advocate for those who live the genetic blood disease.

Matt Whitener, with Kappa Alpha Psi, said it's an important partnership.

"We try to reach out into the community and do everything that we can to be able to connect and be able to give back, and this is just such an awesome opportunity to do so, because it touches so many different people in their lives, especially in the black community," he said.

Whitener added how important awareness is for St. Louis and across the country.

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