Red Cross Collaborates with the National Black Catholic Congress to Bolster Much Needed Blood Donations

American Red Cross
Friday, 18 January 2002

Blood Drives to Honor Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday

In a collaboration aimed at increasing minority blood donations, the American Red Cross and the National Black Catholic Congress are partnering to hold blood drives in January 2002 commemorating Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday and will hold additional drives in the coming months.

"In order to ensure a safe and adequate blood supply for all patients, including those who have hard-to-match blood types, the Red Cross must forge collaborations that focus on recruiting, attracting and retaining minority blood donors from all segments of the population," said Radha Muthiah, vice president of Donor Strategy for American Red Cross Biomedical Services. "Hard-to-match blood types are often found in ethnic groups, and through our collaboration with National Black Catholic Congress, the Red Cross will be better prepared to supply blood to all patients," she stated.

Increasing blood collections from minority groups, especially African-Americans, is crucial because some rare blood types are often found in minority populations. Also, diseases such as sickle cell anemia that require repeat blood transfusions for treatment are prevalent in the African-American community. Although sickle cell patients can receive blood transfusions from any donor, it is very likely that a donor from the same racial group will be a better match. Sickle cell anemia affects as many as one in every 500 African-Americans.

For many years, the Red Cross has forged similar partnerships with minority groups such as the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) and the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) to foster long-term relationships with minority donors.

The American Red Cross provides almost half of the nation's blood supply (collecting more than 6 million units a year from volunteer donors) to 3,000 hospitals through its national network of 36 Blood Services regions. To donate blood, call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE or visit www.redcross.org for more information.

The National Black Catholic Congress, comprised of member organizations, represents African-American Roman Catholics, working in collaboration with National Roman Catholic organizations. The National Black Catholic Congress with headquarters in Baltimore, Maryland, serves more than 100 Roman Catholic Dioceses in the United States. As the National Black Catholic Congress serves in ministry to persons of African descent, the work of the ministry partners with community groups, other religious denominations and national organizations which focus on improving the quality of life of the members of the organization as well as those who have no religious affiliation.

For more information on NBCC-sponsored blood drives in your area, please call your local Red Cross representative.

For more information, or to contact American Red Cross, see their website at: www.redcross.org