Warriors and American Red Cross Host Lifesaving Blood Drives at Thrive City

For the past sixth months, the Golden State Warriors and American Red Cross have teamed up to host the Thrive City Community Blood Drive series for patients in need of lifesaving blood transfusions. The program highlights the importance of diverse blood donors who have the unique ability to help patients with different illnesses and inherited diseases, including sickle cell anemia.

“We (American Red Cross) are incredibly supported by the Warriors and Kaiser Permanente by allowing us to host blood drives at Thrive City that are devoted to saving a lot of lives,” said Robert Finely, American Red Cross Account Manager. “Blood is a constant need and it is imperishable. Whole blood lasts 42 days and must be destroyed if it is not used. Plasma lasts for a year frozen. Platelets last only five days. Every two seconds in the U.S. there is a need for blood in a hospital setting.”

According to the American Red Cross, 332 units of blood have been collected over the last eight Thrive City Community Blood Drives, which means up to 996 blood products for patients in hospitals that the Red Cross serves.

Warriors Assistant Coach Mike Brown recently took part in the program and donated blood. Brown emphasized the importance of awareness and respect for sickle cell anemia. “There’s a lot of diseases out there that healthy people can help fight and help combat and it’s a little time out of your day. The impact you can have on your community and across the board is tremendous. Everyone needs help right now so why not give it while you can,” Brown said.

Brown also mentioned that it does not surprise him that the Warriors and Thrive City are involved with the Red Cross to help the country grow, become prosperous and healthier. The Warriors get involved in meaningful relationships and this is no different for them to be able to partner with the Red Cross and use part of Thrive City’s campus.

Interested individuals can to go to redcrossblood.org and input the sponsor code Thrive City to schedule an appointment to donate blood OR input a zip code to find the nearest blood drive.

American Red Cross on Sickle Cell Anemia
• Sickle cell disease is a lifelong inherited blood disorder that effects over 100,000 people in the U.S., most of whom are of African or Latino decent. Patients with sickle cell disease depend on blood that must be matched very closely – beyond the A, B, O and AB blood types – to reduce the risk of complications. Blood transfusion helps sickle cell disease patients by increasing the number of normal red blood cells in the body, helping to deliver oxygen and unblock blood vessels.
• The Red Cross has an urgent need for African American blood donors as the COVID-19 pandemic has caused unprecedented supply challenges. Many blood drives continue to be canceled while the need for blood products for patients with sickle cell disease has remained steady. Sickle cell patients are at high risk of serious complications from coronavirus infection, and blood transfusion can be a lifesaving treatment for these patients.

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