From awareness to action: American Red Cross drives support during Sickle Cell Awareness Month

For three decades, Nationwide has partnered with the American Red Cross to support lifesaving blood donation efforts. This September, during Sickle Cell Awareness Month, that commitment continues with a focus on expanding access to care for the approximately 100,000 Americans living with sickle cell disease.

Through the Nationwide Foundation, $1 million has been donated over the past four years to support the Red Cross’s Sickle Cell Initiative — a national effort to increase the availability of compatible blood for patients who rely on frequent transfusions.

“Sickle Cell Awareness Month is an important initiative to ensure every individual is receiving the care they need,” said Nationwide Foundation President Chad Jester. “The Nationwide Foundation is proud to partner with the American Red Cross on their valuable work supporting patients and communities.”

Patients with sickle cell disease often require frequent blood transfusions from someone who has both a compatible blood type and similar ethnic background to prevent an immune response in the body. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 90% of people affected by sickle cell disease identify as non-Hispanic Black or African American.

As part of its national initiative launched in 2021, the Red Cross is raising awareness of frequent short supplies to help sickle cell patients by expanding blood drives in Black or African American communities and enhancing the experience for new donors to encourage repeat donations.

Additionally, the Red Cross is partnering with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), offering students opportunities to serve as ambassadors, earn scholarships and receive mentoring from Red Cross leadership.