Red Cross: Donate blood for National Sickle Cell Awareness Month | Health

CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO (KFVS) - The American Red Cross wants you to help meet the needs of patients by donating blood during September, National Sickle Cell Awareness Month.

According to the Red Cross, sickle cell anemia is a disease that affects around 70,000 in the U.S., most of them of African descent but also some of Spanish, French, Italian, Greek and Turkish descent.

Sickle cell disease causes red blood cells to form in an abnormal crescent shape. One of the most common treatments for sickle cell disease is regular blood transfusions, which can help reduce the risk of stroke, damage to major organs that can lead to severe infections, and other complications. There is currently no cure for sickle cell disease.

According to the Red Cross, patients with sickle cell disease, primarily in the African-American community, are less likely to have complications from blood donated by someone within their racial and ethnic groups. The Red Cross is committed to maintaining a diverse base of blood donors to help ensure that all blood types are available for patients with serious medical needs.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities:

Butler County
Sept. 17 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at John J Pershing VA Medical Center, 1500 N. Westwood and Highway 67 North in Poplar Bluff, MO

Cape Girardeau County
Sept. 16 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Immaculate Conception Catholic School, 300 S. Hope in Jackson, MO

Sept. 18 from 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Cape Girardeau Blood Donation Center, 20 S. Mount Auburn Road in Cape Girardeau, MO

Sept. 19 from 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Cape Girardeau Blood Donation Center, 20 S. Mount Auburn Road in Cape Girardeau, MO

Sept. 20 from 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Cape Girardeau Blood Donation Center, 20 S. Mount Auburn Road in Cape Girardeau, MO

Sept. 21 from 7:30-11:30 a.m. at Cape Girardeau Blood Donation Center, 20 S. Mount Auburn Road in Cape Girardeau, MO

Sept. 22 from 7:30-11:30 a.m. at Cape Girardeau Blood Donation Center, 20 S. Mount Auburn Road in Cape Girardeau, MO

Sept. 25 from 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Cape Girardeau Blood Donation Center, 20 S. Mount Auburn Road in Cape Girardeau, MO

Sept. 26 from 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Cape Girardeau Blood Donation Center, 20 S. Mount Auburn Road in Cape Girardeau, MO

Sept. 27 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Jackson High School, 315 S. Missouri in Jackson, MO

Sept. 27 from 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Cape Girardeau Blood Donation Center, 20 S. Mount Auburn Road in Cape Girardeau, MO

Sept. 28 from 7:30-11:30 a.m. at Cape Girardeau Blood Donation Center, 20 S. Mount Auburn Road in Cape Girardeau, MO

Sept. 28 from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Cape Girardeau Career and Tech Center, 1080 S. Silver Springs Road in Cape Girardeau, MO

Sept. 29 from 7:30-11:30 a.m. at Cape Girardeau Blood Donation Center, 20 S. Mount Auburn Road in Cape Girardeau, MO

Dunklin County
Sept. 26 from 1-6 p.m. at Clarkton High School, Highway 162 in Clarkton, MO

Sept. 28 from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Twin Rivers Regional Medical Center, 1301 First St. in Kennett, MO

Franklin County
Sept. 18 from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Christopher High School, 1 Bearcat Drive in Christopher, IL

Sept. 19 from 1-5 p.m. at Franklin Hospital, 201 Bailey Lane in Benton, IL

Sept. 25 from 2-7 p.m. at Whittington Church, 200 Main St. in Whittington, IL

Sept. 26 from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at West Frankfort High School, 601 E. Main St. in West Frankfort, IL

Iron County
Sept. 21 from 1-6 p.m. at Viburnum High School, Highway 49 in Viburnum, MO

Jackson County
Sept. 17 from 2-7 p.m. at Southern Illinois University Carbondale Brush Towers, Grinnell Hall in Carbondale, IL

Sept. 17 from 2-7 p.m. at Southern Illinois University Carbondale Thompson Point, Lentz Hall in Carbondale, IL

Sept. 23 from 12-3 p.m. at The View  First Baptist Church, 1201 S. Giant City Road in Carbondale, IL

Sept. 25 from 2-6 p.m. at St Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 303 S. Poplar St. in Carbondale, IL

Jefferson County, IL
Sept. 19 from 2-7 p.m. at Waltonvillle Grade School, 802 W. Knob St. in Waltonville, IL

Sept. 25 from 12-5 p.m. at Webber Township High School, South Main in Bluford, IL

Pemiscot County
Sept. 21 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Lady Luck Casino, 777 E. Third St. in Caruthersville, MO

Perry County, IL
Sept. 19 from 3-7 p.m. at First Baptist Church - Du Quoin, 308 E. Park St. in Du Quoin, IL

Sept. 24 from 2-6 p.m. at Cutler Community Center, 409 S. Main in Cutler, IL

Perry County, MO
Sept. 18 from 12-6 p.m. at Perry Park Center, 800 City Park Drive in Perryville, MO

Reynolds County
Sept. 19 from 1-6 p.m. at Bunker High School, Highway 72 in Bunker, MO

Scott County
Sept. 20 from 2-6 p.m. at Oran High School, 310 Church St. in Oran, MO

Sept. 25 from 12-4 p.m. at Health Facilities Rehab, 1102 Sikes in Sikeston, MO

Stoddard County
Sept. 20 from 2-6 p.m. at Bell City High School, 25254 Walnut in Bell City, MO

Sept. 25 from 1:30-6 p.m. at Richland High School, 24456 State Highway 114 in Essex, MO

Williamson County
Sept. 19 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at VA Medical Center, 2401 W. Main in Marion, IL

Sept. 21 from 2-7 p.m. at Our Lady of Mt Carmel School & Parish, 300 W. Monroe St. in Herrin, IL

Sept. 22 from 2-6 p.m. at Wal-mart Supercenter, 2802 Outer Road Drive in Marion, IL

Sept. 30 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 208 W. Main in Marion, IL

How to donate blood: Simply call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org to make an appointment or for more information.

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