JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — LifeSouth Community Blood Centers and the Richard Webster-Bass Health Institute have partnered to launch a community blood drive series across Northeast Florida aimed at raising awareness about sickle cell disease.
The initial drive is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 30, at the University of North Florida campus in Jacksonville.
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Under the initiative, LifeSouth will make a community grant donation to Project Little Veins for every person who donates blood. According to a news release, the grant program directly supports sickle cell patients during hospital treatment.
Florida carries one of the heaviest sickle cell disease burdens in the country, with an estimated 13,886 residents living with the genetic blood disorder statewide, according to a 2023 American Society of Hematology population model.
Project Little Veins provides care packages containing comfort items and essentials to sickle cell patients during hospital stays and treatment. Fredrianna Copeland-Webster founded the project following her personal experiences as a sickle cell patient, which included extended hospitalizations and severe complications requiring multiple blood transfusions.
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“I encourage everyone who is eligible, especially Black community members, to donate through LifeSouth or host a blood drive at your church or business to help ensure a stable blood supply in our community for patients who rely on lifesaving transfusions,” Copeland-Webster said in the release.
The institute was established by Selena Webster-Bass in memory of her son, Richard, who passed away from sickle cell complications before his second birthday. Tim Harvey, district director for LifeSouth Community Blood Centers, emphasized the local focus of the effort.
“LifeSouth is proud to partner with the Richard Webster-Bass Health Institute and Project Little Veins on this initiative to raise awareness about sickle cell disease,” Harvey said in the news release. “LifeSouth is the only blood center in this region where a donor’s blood stays in the local community, so every donation has a direct, measurable impact on patients here in Northeast Florida.”
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Blood donors who are identified as a genetic match for sickle cell patients are cataloged through LifeSouth’s Sickle Cell Hero program. Matched donors are notified so they can donate regularly to help minimize transfusion complications for area patients.
The blood drive series launches Wednesday, Sept. 30, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the University of North Florida, where the first 100 donors will receive free pizza in partnership with Wingard.
A second drive is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 1, from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Peace Missionary Baptist Church on Rowe Avenue. A third event will take place Tuesday, Oct. 6, at Edward Waters University on Kings Road, featuring free pizza for the first 100 donors in partnership with Here Tomorrow.
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