New York Blood Center needs more first time blood donors of Afro-American

Single Mom's fate depends on new blood donors

New York, 21 February 2011/PRNewswire-USNewswire  /--a mother hospitalized from Queens is asking more African Americans to become blood donors, so that she and many others may be able to live.  People can call New York Blood Center at 1-800-933-BLOOD (2566) or visit www.nybloodcenter.org for more information about blood donation and where to donate.

Davina Daniels, 37, suffers from sickle cell disease. A resident of Springfield Gardens of African-American decent, she has a rare type of blood.  Blood transfusions African-American donor correspondence are essential to their survival.  Davina was hospitalized last week in New Hyde Park, NY, after suffering from what is called sickle cell "crisis", a life-threatening situation.  But according to the PreciseMatch programme of the New York Blood Center, there was difficulty in finding donors that corresponds to your type of blood for transfusion.

"We now have only one actively giving blood donor supported that can be used for their care," said Melinda Caltabiano, Program Director of the New York Blood Center of PreciseMatch ®.  "We need more African Americans to become blood donors and give blood regularly".

While Davina Daniels is hospitalized family members caring for her teenage son, Merrik.

Blood Center of New York (NYBC) which serves more than 20 million people in New York City, Long Island, Hudson Valley, New Jersey and parts of Connecticut and Pennsylvania, serves one of the most diverse areas of the country.  First time blood donors of afro-Americans and Hispanics are especially needed to increase the chances of finding a match of blood for patients like Davina Daniels special.

Sickle cell disease affects an estimated 70000 Americans to 100000.  People with sickle cell have red blood cells that contain an abnormal type of hemoglobin. These cells can become increasingly shaped and have difficulty passing through small blood vessels of the body. This eventually damage vessels and tissues.

Sickle cell disease occurs about one every 500 births of afro-Americans, and about one of all births to Hispanic American 36000.  To inherit sickle cell, a child must inherit two abnormal genes, one from each parent. With just one gene, he or she will inherit the sickle cell trait.  Sickle cell trait occurs in about one in 12 African Americans.

Blood donors play a key role in the fight against sickle cell disease.  People with sickle cell disease require repeated blood transfusions of healthy red cells to replace their ones "anaemia." Over time, patients often transfusion can create antibodies in the blood, requiring more and more precisely red cell transfusions.  These can only come from those who inherited the same antigens or markers in his blood.  How eye color, or other characteristics inherited, as this blood "exact match" is more often found in someone of the same ethnic or racial background.

The aim PreciseMatch ® program of the New York Blood Center is to ensure diverse communities have access to blood products more precisely match where patients may need them, but this cannot be done without public aid.  Please give blood regularly, or become a blood donor today.  If you can't donate, then please ask someone to donate to you.

NYBC urges donors who were notified that they are a match for someone please donate blood every 56 days, regardless of where you currently resides.

To donate blood or for information about how to organize a blood drive, please call Toll Free: 1-800-933-2566

Visit:www.nybloodcenter.org

Any enterprise, community organizing, place of worship, or individual can host a blood drive.  NYBC also offers scholarships for special Community service for students who organise the community units of blood during the summer and winter months.  Blood donors receive mini free on-site examinations, including information about your temperature, pulse, blood pressure and hemoglobin level.  Eligible donors include people at least age 16 (with parental permission or consent), which weighs less than 110 pounds, be in good health and meet the criteria of a donor of all food & Drug Administration and NY or NJ State Department of health.  People over 75 can donate with a doctor's note.

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