Blood Assurance Celebrates Giving and Diversity with Special Observances and Community Events
Graphic Courtesy of Blood Assurance
In The Know with Gino…
June is a month of reflection, unity, and giving as Blood Assurance honors key observances that highlight the importance of diverse blood donation and its life-saving potential. The organization is recognizing World Blood Donor Day on June 14th, followed by Juneteenth and World Sickle Cell Day on June 19th, emphasizing the critical need for donors from all backgrounds, especially during the summer months when blood supplies often run low.
World Sickle Cell Day coincides with Juneteenth, a day that commemorates emancipation and resilience. It brings attention to sickle cell disease, a genetic blood disorder that predominantly affects Black and African American populations. Many patients with sickle cell rely on regular blood transfusions, and finding compatible donors is often easier among individuals sharing similar genetic backgrounds.
Lorean Mays, Sickle Cell Initiative Manager for Blood Assurance, emphasized the importance of increasing African American donor participation. “One in three African American donors is a match for a sickle cell patient. That match can significantly improve their quality of life and access to ongoing treatment,” she explained.
Beyond awareness, Blood Assurance is hosting a community-driven event—the Battle of the Badges Blood Drive—featuring a friendly competition between the Walker and Catoosa County Sheriff’s Offices. Taking place today, June 13th, community members are encouraged to support their local law enforcement agencies by donating blood at either location:
– Walker County Sheriff’s Office, LaFayette, GA (105 South Duke Street), from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
– Catoosa County Sheriff’s Office, Ringgold, GA (5842 Highway 41), from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Incentives for donors include a $25 e-gift card sent via email, with O-negative and AB plasma donors receiving the same reward. Appointments can be scheduled online, by phone, or via text, and walk-in donors are welcome at all centers and mobile drives.
To be eligible, donors must be at least 17 years old (or 16 with parental consent), weigh 110 pounds or more, and be in good health. It’s recommended to hydrate and eat before donating.
Learn more about making a donation and scheduling an appointment here.
As Blood Assurance continues to foster community engagement and promote diverse participation, these observances serve as a reminder that every donation can make a profound difference—saving lives, supporting health equity, and uniting communities in the spirit of giving.
SOURCE: Chattanooga Pulse
