Artist and activist Nikkolas Smith illustrates reality of patients living with sickle cell disease

In June 2023, the Red Cross and celebrated artist and activist Nikkolas Smith revealed exclusive artwork, entitled “Transfusion,” to raise broader awareness about the disease. Nikkolas worked with four sickle cell warriors of various ages — Tiereny Bell, Dr. Rubin Beaufort, Dreylan Holmes and In June 2023, the Red Cross and celebrated artist and activist Nikkolas Smith revealed exclusive artwork, entitled “Transfusion,” to raise broader awareness about the disease. Nikkolas worked with four sickle cell warriors of various ages — Tiereny Bell, Dr. Rubin Beaufort, Dreylan Holmes and Erica Hunter — to capture and represent their lived experiences in the artwork.

From 12-year-old Dreylan Holmes’ misunderstood experience at school that left him isolated from friends, to Tiereny Bell’s excruciating pain impacting her work as an epidemiologist, people with sickle cell disease have vast and common experiences, yet are widely still underrepresented in everyday conversation. “People will sometimes say to me, you don’t look sick,” Tiereny said. “And I respond, well, what does sick
look like?” 

One in three blood donors who are African American is a match for people with sickle cell disease.

The American Red Cross continued to build on the momentum of its Sickle Cell Initiative — doubling the number of first-time blood donors who are Black or African American since launching the initiative in 2021. This success is critically important as blood transfusions are essential in managing the very real pain and long-term health of those with sickle cell disease. 

• Sickle cell disease is the most common genetic blood disorder in the U.S., and regular blood transfusions are critical to manage extreme pain and life-threatening complications.
  
• Sickle cell disease distorts soft and round red blood cells and turns them hard and crescent-shaped. As a result, blood has difficulty flowing smoothly and carrying oxygen to the rest of the body, which may lead to severe pain, tissue and organ damage, anemia, and even strokes.
• In the U.S., it is estimated that more than 100,000 people have sickle cell disease and may require frequent blood transfusions throughout their lifetime — as many as 100 units of blood per patient each year.
• One in three African American blood donors are a match for people with sickle cell disease. To help ensure patients have the blood products they need, the American Red Cross has been working with partners in the Black community to grow the number of blood donors who are Black.
• Together, they launched the Sickle Cell Initiative in 2021 to inspire support for patients. Since the launch, the Red Cross and partners have increased their first-time African American blood donors to more than 45,000, nearly doubling the number of new donors and essentially reversing the trend of declining donors overall for this group.
• Since launching its Sickle Cell Initiative, the Red Cross has provided more than 130,000 sickle cell trait screenings to donors. From those surveyed, they have learned that about 70% are unaware of their trait status. The Red Cross aims to provide sickle cell trait screenings to 250,000 donors as part of its initiative.
• Individuals with sickle cell trait are encouraged to donate platelets or plasma to help those in need of lifesaving blood including cancer patients and burn victims.

The blood that runs through our veins can ease the suffering of others — and patients battling sickle cell disease need your help now. Please schedule a blood donation appointment today by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, using the Blood Donor App or calling 1-800-RED CROSS.

https://www.redcross.org/about-us/news-and-events/news/2023/artist-and-activist-nikkolas-smith-illustrates-reality-of-patients-living-with-sickle-cell-disease.html