# @americanredcross on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DeZ753qDPtn
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/72570132-americanredcross-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/aab6d10d12.jpg
- **Posted:** 2026-10-12T19:01:03.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** American Red Cross (@americanredcross) — https://gondola.cc/americanredcross

## Caption

Few people understand the importance of closely matched blood better than Vesha Jamison. Not only does Vesha work for the Red Cross, but her son, Dreylan, has lived with sickle cell disease since birth. 

Diagnosed through newborn screening, Dreylan received his first blood transfusion at just 9 months old and has relied on blood donors ever since. Now 16, Dreylan continues to receive regular transfusions to help manage his condition.

At a recent appointment, his doctor asked Vesha whether he could accept a good match now or wait for the closest match. Questions like these weigh heavily on Vesha, because blood transfusions are an essential part of care for many families living with sickle cell disease. But finding the right blood can take more than just a matching blood type. 

Over time, patients who receive frequent transfusions can develop antibodies that may trigger immune reactions to donated blood, making closely matched blood especially important.

"Even if the units are available, are they the best suited for individual patients, and what does that look like when it's not?" Vesha said. "Overall, it adds a little anxiety for me."

While Vesha works for the Red Cross helping connect patients with the blood they need, she's a mother first.

"Working here, I have a little relief knowing the specialized work we do," she said. "I am usually pretty calm at transfusion time because I know that we're out here every day, boots on the ground, making sure that we collect for our hospitals."

Still, when it's her son in the transfusion chair, the experience feels different.

That conversation with Dreylan's doctor reinforced something Vesha already knows well: when patients depend on regular transfusions, having closely matched blood available can help ensure they receive the care they need without waiting for essential treatment.

For families like hers, that peace of mind is invaluable.

Help ensure patients like Dreylan have access to the blood they need when they need it. Make a difference by scheduling an appointment to give blood through the link in our bio.

#DonateBlood #GiveBlood #SickleCell #SickleCellAwareness #SickleCellWarrior

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## Tags

sicklecellwarrior, sicklecellawareness, giveblood, donateblood, sicklecell

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