Kwyn and Kendrick Young
Kwyn Young, 12, and his 16-year-old brother Kendrick live in Peoria, Ill., where they receive regular treatment for sickle cell disease.
Sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disorder which causes misshapen cells that can enlarge the spleen and cause many other health problems. Roughly one in every 500 African-Americans is born with sickle cell disease, and while there is no cure yet, regular blood transfusions can help patients manage this condition.
Kwyn and Kendrick are both Red Cross blood recipients. Their grandmother, Joyce Robinson, has worked as a collections staff member at the Peoria Mid-America Division office for 14 years and knows the importance of giving blood. Whenever she sees a pint of blood being transfused into one of her grandsons she feels pride in being a part of the American Red Cross and gratitude to the many donors who help make sure blood is available for all patients.
Robinson is also actively involved in the Peoria Charles Drew Community Blood Donation Campaign, which is dedicated to increasing education about blood donation and the presence of rare blood traits found in the African-American community. If a patient with a rare blood type requires a transfusion, it is critical to have blood available for them.
Recruiting blood donations from those with rare blood types or traits is lifesaving to patients who must have closely matched blood. It can be the most important thing a community does to help sickle cell patients like the Young brothers who need ongoing transfusions.