Hood Theological Seminary

Hood Theological Seminary will host a blood drive from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Saturday.

A Bloodmobile of the Community Blood Center of the Carolinas will be in the parking lot next to the security office on the seminary campus, 1810 Lutheran Synod Drive.

While donors of all ethnicities are needed, “there is a critical need for blood donations from the African-American and black communities,” said Dean of Students Dora Mbuwayesango, organized the blood drive. “Unfortunately, African-Americans are disproportionately impacted by certain diseases which are treated through blood transfusions, such as sickle cell anemia.”

Tia Burch, the donor recruiter, notes the importance of donating to the Community Blood Center of the Carolinas.

“There are local patients that need the help of people like you,” Burch said. “There’s no replacement for blood. You never know who will benefit from your selfless, life-saving donation. It could go to your neighbor, a family member or co-worker. … The life you save could be your own.”

According to the American Red Cross, sickle cell anemia affects more than 80,000 people in the United States, 98 percent of whom are African-American. Many need blood transfusions every few weeks to help treat the effects of the disease.

Certain blood types are unique to specific racial and ethnic groups, so it is crucial that the donor diversity match the patient diversity. For example, U-negative and Duffy-negative blood types are unique to the African-American community. Sickle cell patients with these blood types must rely on donors with matching blood types in the African-American community.

Blood from donors of the same ethnic background decreases the risk of complications for patients and is less likely to be rejected by the patient after a transfusion. Also, increasing African-American donations is vital because blood types O and B, the blood types of about 70 percent of African-Americans, are most in demand.

To schedule a time, visit https://production.donorscbcc.us/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/35347 or call Mbuwayesango at 704-636-6077. Walk-ins are also welcome.