Liberty partners with Red Cross blood drive to aid Sickle Cell Anemia patients

In an effort to serve those afflicted with Sickle Cell Anemia, Liberty University partnered with the American Red Cross to offer a special two-day blood drive on campus Monday and Tuesday where students could help those suffering with the blood disease.

“We are so excited for the opportunity to support increased blood donation for our local community,” said Greg Dowell, Liberty’s Vice President for Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity. “The record amount of participation by Liberty University students, faculty, and staff demonstrates what it is to be a Champion for Christ. Living out core values shows our commitment to the community and glorifies God through service to all.”

Sickle Cell Anemia is an inherited disease where red blood cells block small blood vessels due to their abnormal crescent shape. The misshapen cells do not last as long as normal red blood cells. According to the Red Cross, an estimated 100,000 people of various racial and ethnic backgrounds in the United States have sickle cell disease, with the majority being of African descent. There is no widely used cure for sickle cell disease, but blood transfusions are one of the most critical treatments for sickle cell patients.

“The Red Cross needs donations all of the time, but right now, due to COVID-19, donations are down all over the country,” Executive Director of LU Serve Lew Weider said. “So Liberty’s donations are now going out farther than just Central Virginia.”

The event ran from 12-6 p.m. in the Jerry Falwell Library Terrace level. Over 120 donations were given.

“Another human being has to donate blood,” Weider said. “We can’t produce it synthetically. It has to be us. And if you and I don’t do it, who will? Our students understand that and they see the value in meeting human needs. Our students always go above and beyond in meeting human needs.”

Weider, who said blood drives at Liberty have been a part of the school’s community outreach efforts for decades, expressed his appreciation and admiration for the student body’s overall heart for service.

“Our students understand that God has created every human being in His image,” he said. “Those individuals have value and the character of our students is displayed through their volunteering and donating. They do both because they see the value of every human being.”

Although this week’s blood drive was only two days, Liberty will continue to offer similar opportunities.

“We have blood drives every month, and they are advertised on campus and the School of Nursing helps with those as well,” Weider said. “We want to educate the students on what the needs are.”