• Sickle cell trait is not sickle cell disease, and in most cases, individuals with sickle cell trait do not experience any symptoms of the disease. • Approximately 1 in 13 babies who are Black or African American are born with sickle cell trait. It is essential to know your trait status. For a limited time, all donors who self-identify as multiracial and Black or African American will be screened for hemoglobin S, a key indicator of sickle cell trait. How Do Race and Ethnicity Affect Blood Blood types fall into four major groups: A, B, AB, and O. Some patients require an even closer match than the main blood types. If a patient receives a transfusion that is not a close match, they may form antibodies. Individuals who receive frequent blood transfusions, such as patients with sickle cell disease, need to receive the most compatible match possible.
• Antigens are a substance on red blood cells that help determine blood type. • There are more than 600 known antigens, and some are unique to specific racial and ethnic groups. • One in 3 African American blood donors is a match for a patient with sickle cell disease. Rare Blood Types Red blood cells carry markers called antigens on their surface that determine one’s blood type. There are more than 600 known antigens besides A and B. Certain blood types are unique to specific racial and ethnic groups. Therefore, it is essential that donor diversity match patient diversity. For example, U-negative and Duffy-negative blood types are unique to the African American community. People with sickle cell disease and these blood types rely on blood donors who are Black when they need a transfusion.
12 The Acumen
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