Fantasia has teamed up with the American Red Cross to help those in need by donating blood. The acclaimed musician and honorary member of Divine 9’s Sigma Gamma Rho teamed up with the charity to encourage more people to donate blood and save lives, particularly those suffering from sickle cell disease.
On February 17, she told her five million Instagram followers about the “Black Excellence” in our blood and revealed that one out of every three Black donors is a match for sickle cell patients. She asked her fans, supporters, and fellow Divine 9 members to roll up their sleeves and donate to the American Red Cross in order to give back. She revealed that she is afraid of needles, but she wants to overcome her fear for a bigger cause and to help patients with sickle cell disease.
Fantasia used an Instagram Reel to show her fans her blood donation experience. She was photographed eating a steak and drinking a lot of water before heading down to a blood donation center in all yellow and blue, giving honor to her Sigma Gamma Rho sisters.
“Ya’ girl went to donate blood with @americanredcross. I’m afraid of needles, but I went through with it. Check out some behind-the-scenes footage from my experience. It wasn’t scary at all. In fact, it was humbling to know our blood can help save lives. Every 2 seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood. So, I encourage my family, friends, fellow D9 members, and @sgrhoupdates sisters to roll up a sleeve to donate lifesaving blood. Visit RedCrossBlood.org/OurBlood to schedule an appointment today or to learn more about how your sorority or fraternity chapter can host a virtual blood drive. #TeamUp4SickleCell #ad,” she shared on Instagram.
Blood donations from Black people are critical in satisfying the transfusion needs of patients especially those suffering from sickle cell disease.
According to the CDC, approximately 100,000 persons in the United States have sickle cell disease, the majority of whom are of African heritage, and may require regular blood transfusions throughout their lifetimes to help manage their disease.
According to the American Red Cross, one in every three African-American blood donors is a match for patients with sickle cell disease. Fifty-one percent of Black people have Type O blood, which is frequently in short supply since hospitals want it so frequently.