Suburban Propane hopes to boost SCD awareness with blood drive
Disease affects 1 of every 365 Black newborns in the U.S.
Suburban Propane Partners recently teamed up with the American Red Cross, its longtime national collaborator, to host a blood drive in Boston to boost sickle cell disease (SCD) awareness and encourage blood donations.
The event was attended by Willie Gross, Boston’s former, and first, African American police commissioner. Some 100,000 U.S. residents are estimated to be living with sickle cell disease, which occurs in about one of every 365 Black newborns, and in one of every 16,300 Hispanic American births.
“It’s important to see national companies like Suburban Propane come together with the American Red Cross to educate the community about sickle cell disease and to collect blood that can treat those who suffer from it,” Gross said in a press release. “I am grateful for the opportunity to be here today in support of this important cause and to help get Boston on the right track when it comes to fighting this terrible disease.”
Blood drive part of company’s SuburbanCares initiative
Each donor received a Red Cross first aid kit courtesy of New Jersey-based Suburban Propane, a nationwide distributor of propane, renewable energy, and associated products and services. Those donors will be entered into a contest for a pair of tickets to see the Boston Celtics NBA team, thanks to the Shamrock Foundation, which works to help women and children in need.
The blood drive was part of the company’s SuburbanCares initiative, which seeks to give back to U.S. communities that the company serves. The philanthropic arm has recently been involved with charitable efforts in several underserved communities, including those in Key West, Florida; Boston, Massachusetts; Helena, Montana; Charlotte, North Carolina; Lewes, Delaware; and San Diego, California.
In 2020, the company worked with federal healthcare professionals in some of the areas where the COVID-19 pandemic hit the hardest, including California, Florida, Texas, New Jersey, Maryland, New York, and Washington, D.C.
“We are always honored to lend a hand to our partners at the American Red Cross, and today’s blood drive promoting sickle cell awareness is especially rewarding,” said Nandini Sankara, spokesperson at Suburban Propane. “A single sickle cell patient can require up to 100 units of blood each year to treat complications from their disease, and we are grateful to have the opportunity to provide our support and encourage all available donors to join us in giving the gift of lifesaving blood.”
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