Did you know that the partnership to increase healthy living between World Changers Church International and the American Red Cross began in 2007? According to Mrs. Ebony Rose-France, the Diversity Account Manager and our American Red Cross representative, this impactful relationship has produced over 1,000 attempted blood donations through the end of 2020, which is above average for volunteer partners. African Americans are approximately 13% of the U.S. population, but represent only 1 % of blood donors. World Changers is poised to help change that narrative by hosting regular blood drives and continuing to push for healthy living in our communities. Last year alone, our WCCI friends and family produced almost 200 blood donors in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic when other large volunteer partners closed their doors—simply because we care. We want to extend an open invitation to all of the World Changers Nation to join us in our commitment to help save lives, one blood donation at a time. Here are some facts you should know about becoming a blood donor:

You can prepare for a successful blood donation by eating iron-rich foods and increasing your water intake on the days prior to the appointment to help with hemoglobin levels. While platelet and plasma donations can be made to the American Red Cross, at these types of sponsor locations, the only two donation types that can be done are red blood cell donations (whole blood, all of the components) and “power red” (focused on 2 units of red blood cells, donor will receive platelets and plasma back).

COVID-19, Vaccines, and Blood Donation
WCCI and the American Red Cross are concerned about your safety, so when you arrive at any of our blood drives, expect that all Center for Disease Control and Preparedness (CDC) guidelines, including masks and social distancing, will be followed to mitigate risk and prevent COVID-19 spread. You can donate blood if you have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past as long as you are now negative, can produce a negative COVID test result, and are not showing symptoms. If you have received a COVID-19 vaccine, you may still donate but will need to know the name of the manufacturer of the vaccine you received. Depending on which vaccine you took, there may be a deferral time before you can donate blood.

Do You Know Your Blood Type?
ALL BLOOD TYPES MATTER, but do you know yours? You will find out your blood type as a donor during the mini-health screen that comes along with the appointment. Blood type O, positive or negative, are the types that are most in demand, but for different reasons. According to the American Red Cross, type O- is a universal blood type and is the most common type used for transfusions, especially when the blood type of the patient is unknown. Type O+ is the most frequently occurring blood type and can be given to A+, B+, AB+, and O+ positive. Again, all blood types are needed for all lives that are in need.

Closing the Sickle Cell Gap
Donating blood to support patients with sickle cell disease is very important. Sickle cell disease is incurable; it causes red blood cells to harden and form a “C” or sickle shape. It can lead to severe pain, respiratory conditions, organ failure, or even stroke. In the United States, most patients diagnosed with sickle cell disease are African American or Hispanic of Caribbean ancestry. Many of these people need multiple blood transfusions, and blood types closely related in lineage decrease the likelihood of adverse reactions to the transfusions. World Changers Nation, this is a critical reason for all of us to donate blood as often as possible—every drop counts.

The American Red Cross salutes our volunteers, partners, and friends for helping them save lives by becoming donors. We are very thankful for your continued support and participation, and look forward to growing our numbers at each location so that we can all do our part—we are in this together!