All blood may be red, but that doesn't mean it's all the same.
Experts at Remington College talked on Thursday about why blood from different races, particularly from African-Americans, is in such high demand. For example, U- and Duffy- blood types are unique, specifically to the African-American community.
“We need more minorities to donate blood, as the need is out there,” said Terhan Freeman, Remington College Campus President.
Instructor Brenda Boyd used to work as a medical assistant. She said she has seen a huge need for blood first hand, especially from patients with blood disorders, like sickle cell. They rely solely on matching blood types from African-American donors.
“The antigens with the African-American blood is, I want to say more rich, and when I worked at university hospitals, I worked at Tower Six, and we had a lot of sickle cell patients that needed blood, and sometimes we almost ran short or didn't have it," Boyd said.
While today was about asking diverse communities to donate, all donations are welcome. Director of Admissions Alicia Chet said she donates her blood every eight weeks, because she knows what a difference it makes.
“Both my sister and my father have had blood disorders, so my sister throughout her years needed blood transfusions a few times,” she said.
One donation can save three lives. The campus president said Remington College in Cleveland holds blood drives every quarter and is urging everyone, especially African-Americans, to donate.
