# @americanredcross on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DIl6pZYstkj
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/72588781-americanredcross-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/09417a65ff.jpg
- **Posted:** 2025-04-18T15:10:14.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** American Red Cross (@americanredcross) — https://gondola.cc/americanredcross

## Caption

At 21 years old, McKinley has had hundreds of blood transfusions to treat severe pain as a result of sickle cell disease. He’s one of more than 100,000 people in the U.S. affected by the disease, most of whom are of African, Latino and Mediterranean descent.

Sickle cell disease distorts round, healthy red blood cells into crescent-shaped ones, making it difficult for them to flow through the bloodstream and carry oxygen to the body. When these red blood cells get stuck in the blood vessels and block blood flow throughout the body, the result is a pain crisis.

“For so long, no one knew of his condition,” said Angelica, McKinley’s mother. “People in McKinley’s circle only knew that at times his skin looked discolored, his eyes were yellow, he was out of school for a month then he would return, and he looked fine. For all these years, it’s been the hundreds of blood transfusions that got him through the worst of times, gave him relief, and allowed him to return to living his life.”

Last year, Angelica and McKinley helped host a blood drive, shining a light on sickle cell disease and encouraging community members to support patients by donating blood.
 
“My son has been in and out of the hospital his entire life to manage his pain and has received so many blood transfusions that I’ve lost count,” Angelica said. “There were times when treatments became more intense because sickle cell started impacting his organs. I’ve stood next to my son, wishing with all my might to take on his pain and at a loss as to how to help. Establishing blood drives, inviting our community to be blood donors, and sharing how sickle cell impacts our loved ones — that’s how I can best help my son and so many others like him.

“We all carry this gift of life and it’s our choice to give it. To all the blood donors who generously roll up a sleeve: thank you for the gift of life you’ve breathed into my son and so many other patients. To those that have never donated blood: think of yourself as a first responder. Your blood donation is critical to so many patients in need and you make the biggest difference.” #TeamUp4SickleCell

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## Tags

teamup4sicklecell

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