Baltimore Orioles, MedStar Health host blood drive to raise awareness for sickle cell disease
Blood transfusions can be a lifeline for sickle cell patients in severe pain
Updated: 2:00 PM EDT Sep 16, 2025
The Baltimore Orioles and MedStar Health held a blood drive Tuesday in honor of Sickle Cell Awareness Month.Roughly every two and a half minutes, someone with sickle cell disease arrives at a U.S. emergency room, often in severe pain. Blood transfusions can be a lifeline for sickle cell patients.”Every two seconds, someone needs blood, and so, the American Red Cross provides over 40% of the blood in the nation,” Lenora Henry, executive director of the American Red Cross of Central Maryland, told 11 News.The Orioles want to ensure Baltimore hospitals have the blood they need.”We wanted to take a moment to bring attention to this condition that impacts so many people, and also specifically, recognize the reality that patients that are inflicted with this disease really need support from people for African descent. So, to the extent that we can tell the story about the patients that are suffering with this condition and provide, essentially, a remedy, a treatment, we’re doing that today,” Kerry Watson Jr., the Orioles’ executive vice president of public affairs, told 11 News.”We see firsthand the devastating impact of sickle cell disease every day in our hospitals and clinics,” Brad Chambers, MedStar Health’s senior vice president and chief operating officer for the Baltimore region, said in a statement. “The decision to donate blood is a decision to give sickle cell patients and those battling many other health challenges a piece of their life back. Please join us, the Baltimore Orioles, and the American Red Cross in this critical mission to improve the health of our communities.”Even if you missed this blood drive, it’s never too late to give. The American Red Cross holds blood drives throughout the year. To make an appointment to donate, go to RedCrossBlood.org and enter code “ORIOLESSCAWARENESS” in the ZIP code box.
BALTIMORE —
The Baltimore Orioles and MedStar Health held a blood drive Tuesday in honor of Sickle Cell Awareness Month.
Roughly every two and a half minutes, someone with sickle cell disease arrives at a U.S. emergency room, often in severe pain. Blood transfusions can be a lifeline for sickle cell patients.
“Every two seconds, someone needs blood, and so, the American Red Cross provides over 40% of the blood in the nation,” Lenora Henry, executive director of the American Red Cross of Central Maryland, told 11 News.
The Orioles want to ensure Baltimore hospitals have the blood they need.
“We wanted to take a moment to bring attention to this condition that impacts so many people, and also specifically, recognize the reality that patients that are inflicted with this disease really need support from people for African descent. So, to the extent that we can tell the story about the patients that are suffering with this condition and provide, essentially, a remedy, a treatment, we’re doing that today,” Kerry Watson Jr., the Orioles’ executive vice president of public affairs, told 11 News.
“We see firsthand the devastating impact of sickle cell disease every day in our hospitals and clinics,” Brad Chambers, MedStar Health’s senior vice president and chief operating officer for the Baltimore region, said in a statement. “The decision to donate blood is a decision to give sickle cell patients and those battling many other health challenges a piece of their life back. Please join us, the Baltimore Orioles, and the American Red Cross in this critical mission to improve the health of our communities.”
Even if you missed this blood drive, it’s never too late to give. The American Red Cross holds blood drives throughout the year. To make an appointment to donate, go to RedCrossBlood.org and enter code “ORIOLESSCAWARENESS” in the ZIP code box.