Community Blood Drive Targets Critical Shortage for Sickle Cell Patients During Awareness Month

The Central California Blood Center, Cayenne Wellness Center, and B Awesum are collaborating to host a community blood drive on September 25, 2025, at River Park's Art Groove Event Center in Fresno, California. The event, scheduled from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., aims to address the critical blood shortage affecting sickle cell disease patients during Sickle Cell Awareness Month. This partnership highlights a pressing healthcare disparity: patients with sickle cell disease often require regular blood transfusions, and the most compatible matches typically come from African American donors.

With less than 5% of eligible Americans donating blood annually, there exists a constant shortage for the patients who depend on it most. Shanti Johnson-Harris, Community Health Worker for Cayenne Wellness Center in Central California, emphasized the life-saving impact of blood donation for sickle cell patients, noting that a single donation can lead to fewer hospital visits and improved health outcomes. Melanie Glass, CEO and Founder of B Awesum, shared that her organization's participation stems from personal experience with the disease's impact.

Glass stated that the blood drive represents more than just giving back—it's about raising awareness for a cause that saves lives and strengthens community bonds. The event location at 80 E. Via Del Oro in Fresno's River Park shopping center provides an accessible venue for community participation. The collaboration between these organizations underscores the importance of targeted blood donation efforts for specific medical conditions.

Sickle cell disease affects approximately 100,000 Americans, primarily those of African descent, and requires specialized medical attention throughout patients' lives. Regular blood transfusions help manage complications and improve quality of life for what patients and advocates often call "sickle cell warriors." The timing of this blood drive during Sickle Cell Awareness Month brings heightened attention to the ongoing needs of this patient population.

While blood donations benefit all patients requiring transfusions, the particular need for African American donors highlights how community-specific donation efforts can address healthcare disparities. The event organizers hope this initiative will not only collect immediate donations but also build lasting awareness about the importance of regular blood donation for sickle cell patients. This effort demonstrates how local partnerships can directly impact vulnerable populations facing chronic medical challenges.