# @americanredcross on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/CxbLHgvv9CZ
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/72591523-americanredcross-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/f2a0feec08.jpg
- **Posted:** 2023-09-20T19:00:27.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** American Red Cross (@americanredcross) — https://gondola.cc/americanredcross

## Caption

When her son needed an emergency blood transfusion for acute chest syndrome — the leading cause of death in people living with sickle cell disease — Brenda remembers thinking, “That’s somebody’s blood going into my baby’s body. Is it going to work?”

Sickle cell disease distorts red blood cells and prevents them from flowing smoothly and carrying oxygen to the rest of the body. Blood transfusions offer much-needed relief from severe pain and complications of the disease.

“Sickle cell causes damage anywhere that blood flows,” she said. “We've had some close calls to where we were waiting and I’m [wondering], is the blood available?”

Now, Braden is living with avascular necrosis, a disease resulting from a lack of blood supply to his bones. He’s suffered strokes, has had pneumonia multiple times, and his memory is often impeded. He visits a surgeon for scans every few months, a new normal in his routine. “I’ve become used to the pain,” he said.

During his birthday month, Braden and his mother decided to celebrate another year of life, not just in honor of him, but all sickle cell warriors. Together, they co-founded the B Strong Group, a nonprofit with the mission of spreading awareness of sickle cell disease and the importance of increasing blood on the shelves.

“Anytime I hear of a blood shortage or somebody having to wait for a blood match, it sends chills,” Brenda said. “I don't want any other parent to hear that. We know the need is constant. We know how it feels. We want the blood to be available at any time for anybody.”

You can help us ensure patients who depend on frequent blood transfusions receive routine and timely care. Make a difference in someone’s life — tap the link in our bio to schedule an appointment to give blood. #TeamUp4SickleCell #SickleCellAwarenessMonth

#RedCross #DonateBlood #GiveBlood #BloodDonor #DonateBloodSaveLives #GiveBloodSaveLives #SickleCellDisease #SickleCell #SickleCellAwareness #SickleCellWarrior

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## Credits

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## Tags

donatebloodsavelives, redcross, givebloodsavelives, sicklecellawarenessmonth, sicklecelldisease, blooddonor, sicklecellwarrior, sicklecellawareness, giveblood, donateblood, sicklecell, teamup4sicklecell

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