RG&E Teams Up with the American Red Cross to Raise Awareness About Sickle Cell Disease

Event will encourage the community to roll up its sleeves to find blood donor matches

Call 1.800.733.2767 to schedule an appointment

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — February 26, 2024 — Rochester Gas and Electric (RG&E), along with the Avangrid African American Council for Excellence (AAACE) is working with the American Red Cross, WNY to encourage the community to roll up its sleeves and offer the gift of life to those in need, with a blood drive to raise awareness about Sickle Cell Disease. The event will be held Tuesday, February 27 in Rochester.


Sickle Cell Disease is an inherited red blood cell disorder that can cause pain and other serious health problems, such as infection, acute chest syndrome, and stroke. The disorder impacts the black and brown community at a higher rate. One in three African American blood donors are a match for people with Sickle Cell Disease. That’s why the Red Cross recently launched an initiative to ensure patients have critical blood products when they need them.


“We know there has been a lack of trust in black communities that’s lasted generations, largely due to historical and systemic issues within the healthcare system,” said Shaquasia Constantine, Vice Chair of AAACE, Rochester chapter. “We are committed to helping the Red Cross build that trust and share information to engage new blood donors.” AAACE is one of five Avangrid business resource groups comprised of employees, including RG&E and Rochester-based Avangrid workers, that provide opportunities for professional networking, career development and learning, community building, and community partnerships.


“There are inherent markers in the blood of people of African descent that make them an even closer match for black patients receiving transfusions to treat sickle cell disease,” said Ken Lee, Executive Director of the Rochester Chapter of the American Red Cross of Western New York.  “The Red Cross is committed to expanding our base of black donors so those suffering from sickle cell receive the best possible match and outcomes.”


The event is open to the public. An appointment is not required, but participants are encouraged to call 1-800 RED CROSS (1.800.733.2767) or visit: Schedule a Blood, Platelet or Plasma Donation | American Red Cross (redcrossblood.org)


Details of the event are below:

  • Date: Tuesday, February 27
  • Location:
    American Red Cross, WNY
    1040 University Ave., Rochester
  • Time: 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.

RG&E will have a representative available for interviews between 12 p.m. and 3 p.m. The Company remains committed to the community and will continue working with organizations to hold events that make an impact across the region.

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Media Contact:

Alexis Arnold
alexis.arnold@avangrid.com
585.953.3159

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