SPRINGBORO, Ohio — As the Springboro community kicks off their Juneteenth celebration this weekend, Southwest Community Church said it will be hosting a blood drive it hopes will get the community to come out and support, along with bringing awareness to Sickle Cell Disease.
Andrew Beal, who is the Executive Minister at Southwest Church, said they got involved with the blood drive after partnering with a group called Parents Empowering Children of Color.
“They want to start up more community-wide familiarity with the Juneteenth celebration,” Beal said.
Beal said, “It’s a fantastic way to kick start the weekend - give back in a very specific way.”
Wanting to support the Juneteenth Jubilee event, and find a way to give back. The church volunteered their parking lot for the blood drive.
The Community Blood Center, which continues to face a blood shortage, said it’s especially important to have diverse donors.
Mark said, “Sickle Cell disproportionately affects the black and Hispanic communities so you need black and Hispanic donors.
Sickle Cell Disease often requires many blood transfusions to treat.
“It becomes imperative that you have the best made of blood. That’s particularly important with this RO factor with the blood type and that is important for Sickle Cell treatment,” Mark said.
Sickle Cell Disease often requires many blood transfusions to treat.
And Beal said that’s also why this blood drive is connected to the Juneteenth holiday.
I think this kind of puts us in the viewpoint of maybe getting out of our own skin with stories or other people,” Beal said.
The blood drive takes place Friday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. They are hoping to have at least 50 registrants and currently have 25.