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Red Cross Hosts Blood Drive For Sickle Cell Awareness

White and red van in front of a white and red building.
Tom Flanigan
/
WFSU News
The third and final blood drive will be at the Red Cross Chapter Headquarters on Easterwood Drive.

The Capital Area Chapter of the American Red Cross is hosting a special blood drive through Saturday. The purpose is to help those who suffer from a disease that hasn't been getting much attention.

The Red Cross's Karen Duncan said the name of that disease is sickle cell anemia.

"People don't talk about it a lot, but it particularly afflicts members of the African American community. It's a devastating disease and whatever we can do to help, the American Red Cross is here to do it."

She said that's taking the form of special blood drives Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.

"We have a severe shortage right now, so we are desperate for anyone to come help out those in need."

Friday's drive will be at Disc Village on Pensacola Street from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. The drive wraps up Saturday at the Red Cross headquarters on Easterwood Drive between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.

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Tom Flanigan has been with WFSU News since 2006, focusing on covering local personalities, issues, and organizations. He began his broadcast career more than 30 years before that and covered news for several radio stations in Florida, Texas, and his home state of Maryland.

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