The Houston based As One Foundation in partnership with One Delta Plaza Educational Center will host a day of caring blood drive in honor of International Sickle Cell Caregivers Day, established to celebrate the birthday of Wendy Ann Darling 1 – 6 pm, Thursday, July 29, 2021, at One Delta Plaza, located at 3333 Old Spanish Trail, Houston, TX 77021.
“Ms. Wendy was the consummate caregiver to so many, well beyond her own five children. Her caregiving spirit lives on through the much-needed blood donor participants at this blood drive,” said As One Foundation Executive Director, Dr. Tomia Austin. “Caregivers play a major role for Sickle Cell sufferers. When a patient is experiencing a flare-up, it can be difficult for them to carry out simple tasks like bathing, preparing meals, and follow up doctor visits.”
Since Wendy Darling’s death due to blood clotting as a sickle cell trait carrier in early 2020, the As One Foundation established her birthday, July 29 as an annual celebration honoring her memory as mother and caregiver to her five children including, son and As One Foundation Founder Devard Darling and his identical twin brother Devaughn, who died from complications of Sickle Cell Trait. The event will also bring awareness to the shortage of blood donations that plagues the Sickle Cell community.
On average Sickle Cell patients receive a blood transfusion once or twice a month to manage their condition and prevent complications. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, local blood banks such as the Gulf Coast Regional Blood Bank were forced to cancel blood drives, which resulted in a nationwide shortage of blood.
“When we were made aware of the blood shortage that was affecting the blood banks we wanted to do everything that we could do to help,” said One Delta Plaza Board Chair Dr. Bernadine Duncan. “Although it is Sickle Cell Caregiver Appreciation Day, the Gulf Coast Regional Blood Bank serves the entire Southeast Houston community. Anything that we can do to help them is a major honor. To be able to also raise awareness about Sickle Cell Disease and the As One Foundation is an added bonus.”
The event will take place Thursday, July 29, 2021, at One Delta Plaza Educational Center located at 3333 Old Spanish Trail, Houston, TX 77021, from 1 pm to 6 pm.
Attendees will be able to donate blood, enjoy live music, refreshments and giveaways.
Through their partnership with PicnicHealth the organization will also be offering $200 to sickle cell patients who sign up for the new Picnic Health sickle cell app. The app helps to keep track of flare-ups and organize medical records for Sickle Cell patients.
Please find the official event flyer and press release attached.
Please register to attend at: https://bit.ly/3eaLh2d
For more information or to schedule an interview with Dr. Austin or Devaughn Darling please email Alex Green at info@agmediaagency.com Please find the official event flyer and press release attached.