Sickle Cell Awareness Month: Red Cross raising awareness for blood donations

September is Sickle Cell Awareness Month, and the American Red Cross is emphasizing the importance of a diverse blood supply.A common inherited blood disorder, sickle cell disease affects more than 100,000 people across the United States.For 43-year-old Brandiese Farley, of Aliquippa, who was diagnosed at age 3, living with sickle cell disease is all she knows."I have my good days, and I have my bad days," she said.Farley has a phrase for sickle cell disease — "I believe it's a silent killer" — because those living with it may look just fine."I could be in pain and you could never know," she said. "Like, 'How are you feeling today?' 'Oh, I'm good,' knowing that I've just taken either OxyCodone or some Tylenol to make it through my day."Dr. Enrico Novelli, of the UPMC Adult Sickle Cell Disease Program, explains that, historically, there has been a lack of awareness."It's been very much an orphan disease and a neglected disease throughout our history, for reasons that are very complicated but involve race, because the disease predominantly affects African-Americans and the Latinx community," Novelli said.The American Red Cross is spreading the word, saying the goal is to get more Black donors."Sickle cell patients can receive up to 100 transfusions per year, so when you are getting that many transfusions, you really want to be sure that you are absolutely getting the best blood for your body and the closest match," said Tina Czaikowski, with the Red Cross.The Red Cross says one in three Black donors are a match for people with sickle cell disease because many of them have unique structures on their red blood cells, and donations are so important because blood transfusions can be life-saving."I try to make the best out of every day because this is what I've had since forever," Farley saidFor more information on sickle cell disease, or to sign up to donate blood, you can go to redcross.org or call 800-RED-CROSS (800-733-2767).