Sickle cell foundation to host blood drive

A Gurnee-based organization that advocates sickle cell research will host a LifeSource blood drive from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28, at Foss Park Community Center, 1730 Lewis Ave., North Chicago.

The P413 Foundation provides support services throughout Lake County by promoting awareness, strength, positivity and research funding. Foundation co-founder Lewis Asbury says that the group is overseeing nine people in the area who are currently battling sickle cell disease - four adults and five "little children warriors."

Despite this being the foundation's first blood drive, Asbury is all too-familiar with how sickle cell attacks the body: his wife is battling the disease.

"It definitely requires a lot of strength and emotional support," he says of his caregiver role. "Sickle Cell Anemia starts in the blood and then it affects the bone structure and organs."

According to LifeSource, certain blood disorders affect African-Americans more than other ethnicities. Sickle Cell Disease is an inherited red blood cell disorder that affects approximately 100,000 people in the United States, mainly African-Americans. While less than 10 percent of the population donates blood, the blood center says that less than one percent is donated by African-Americans.

Blood that closely matches a patient's ethnicity is more likely to be compatible with the patient's own blood, and such transfusions can lead to fewer complications. For example, some African-American donors have different combinations of antigens in their blood, which are rarely found in other ethnic groups.

"Encouraging and maintaining diversity among our donors that reflect our population in Chicago helps LifeSource to supply optimal blood products back to the community," said Chad A. Douglas, LifeSource executive director of Blood Operations, said. "Blood donation is an important community service and its responsibility should be shared by everyone."

This spring, P413 Foundation will host a benefit fundraiser, present a musical, and will also host a Sickle Cell Walk at Greenbelt Cultural Center in North Chicago. The group draws its name from Philippians 4:13, found in the Bible.

In preparation for their donation, donors are asked to eat well, stay hydrated and arrive with proper identification. Blood donors must be at least 17 years old (or 16 years old with parental consent).

To schedule an appointment, contact LifeSource at (877) 543-3768 or visit www.lifesource.org and use Group Code 338D. Walk-ins are welcome.