Although this story is part of a push to get Philadelphia residents to attend a blood drive, its message about a lack of African American donors is relevant to both potential donors and those with sickle cell disease.
The American Red Cross is in great need of more African Americans to donate blood, which is a critical need for many patients with sickle cell anemia.
Sickle cell disease affects 100,000 Americans. According to the Centers for Disease Control, it affects one out of every 365 African American births, which is 73% of all cases.