Dr. Charles R. Drew was a pioneering African-American medical researcher who made groundbreaking discoveries in the storage and processing of blood for transfusions. Charles Drew was initiated into Omega Psi Phi Fraternity in 1923 at Alpha Psi Chapter at Amherst College. The brothers of Theta Nu Nu Chapter want to honor the contributions of the illustrious Brother Charles Drew while providing much needed blood donations to communities of color.
African-Americans have the unique ability to help patients with sickle cell disease. A person with sickle cell disease may need a precise pairing with a blood donor, especially if frequent transfusions are necessary. If a patient receives a transfusions of a blood type that is not a close match, they may form antibodies against the mismatched antigens. To help avoid transfusion related complications, a patient is more likely to find the most compatible blood match from a donor of the same race or similar ethnicity.
Challenge your friends (or anyone for that matter) to a friendly competition! Who will win the battle to do the most social good for your community?
Put your virtual blood drive campaign against one or even multiple other campaigns to see who can recruit more blood donors for the American Red Cross.
