Henry Tanner - artist, painted scenes of World War I, his paintings still hang in Red Cross national headquarters today;

Jesse Thomas - first black hired at Red Cross national headquarters, Assistant to the Vice Chairman;

Mary McLeod Bethune - founder of Bethune-Cookman College, Red Cross volunteer 1920s-1940;

Frederick Douglas Patterson - Chapter Chairman of the Tuskegee Red Cross chapter, member Red Cross Board of Governors;

Charles Drew - one of America’s foremost physicians and pioneer in blood collections, Red Cross’ Drew Institute named after him;

Frances Davis - first black nurse enrolled and pinned by the national American Red Cross;

Jerome Holland - Red Cross Board of Governors in 1964,1970, Board Vice Chairman- 1978 until appointment as first black National Chairman of the American Red Cross in 1979 (1979-1985);

William H. Dabney - first black appointed to League of the Red Cross in Switzerland; Red Cross public relations consultant in 1953;

• ALABAMA NEEDS MORE MINORITY DONORS

  • Blood is needed to treat: sickle cell anemia, hypertension related-kidney disorders, cancer, heart disease and organ transplants

  • If you wait -it may be too late

  • Safety & availability-Red Cross' #1 priority

Find a Donor Center near you or call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE

"More African-American Blood Donors - 
The Best Hope for African-American Patients."

American Red Cross Blood Services
Alabama and Central Gulf Coast Region
Celebrates Black History Month

Famous Firsts by Black Americans

SOURCES:
Asante, Molefi K. The Historical and Cultural Atlas of African Americans. New York, NY: Macmillan Publishing, 1991.
Black History Month Resource Book. Detroit, Michigan: Gale Research, Inc. 1993.
Prepared by the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute Education Department January 1996.

More African-American Blood Donors-The Best Hope for African-American Patients

MINORITY DONORS PLAY A VITAL ROLE

February is “Black History” month in the American Red Cross and across America. It’s time to recognize the many significant African-American contributions to America and our way of life. Unfortunately minority blood donations are well below the national average. The same is true in the Alabama and Central Gulf Coast Region.

“Minority blood donors in central and northern Alabama, including the greater Birmingham area account for less than one per cent of the Alabama Region’s total blood donors,” said Mark Beddingfield, Alabama and Central Gulf Coast Region CEO. Approximately four per cent of eligible Alabamians donate blood each year. The national average is 5%.

“The Red Cross is making a major concerted effort to increase minority blood donors,” said Beddingfield. We have account managers whose total efforts are directed to working with our minority community partners and scheduling blood drives. The Red Cross-’ number one concern and priority is providing a safe and adequate blood supply to all Alabamians, added Fletcher.

“Furthermore, donating blood is safe,” stated Dr. Ken McMilin, Red Cross Blood Services, Alabama Region Medical Director. The equipment is sterile and used only once-for your donation. McMilin stated that minority blood donations are important for a number of reasons.

African-Americans have a relatively high incidence rate of: sickle cell anemia, cancer, heart disease, hypertension-related kidney disorders, some other common diseases and a need for organ transplants.

These types of illnesses and operations often require blood transfusions. African-Americans have some rare blood types such as U-negative and Duffy Negative.

It logically follows that African-American blood provides the best hope for a faster recovery and increased survival rate for African-American patients with these blood type needs. However, the blood must first be available for the patient.

More African-American blood donors means more hope for African-American patients that need blood to live. An important fact to remember is that, if you wait to donate blood until it’s an emergency, it may be too late. The Red Cross tests all blood donations for a number of diseases including AIDS and hepatitis. That procedure usually takes between 24-48 hours.

Donating blood is safe, easy and takes about 30 minutes. You receive a mini-physical that includes: blood pressure screening, checking your red cell level and typing your blood by blood group.

Consider becoming a Red Cross blood donor. ”Your one donation can save up to three people’s lives. Call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE to become a donor, sponsor a blood drive or to find the nearest donor center.