ANN ARBOR, Mich. - The University of Michigan Comprehensive Pediatric Sickle Cell Program and the Ann Arbor Community Center, along with the American Red Cross, will host a community blood, bone marrow, and organ donor drive.

The event will take place from 1 - 7 p.m. Monday, March 16, at the Ann Arbor Community Center, 625 N. Main Street in Ann Arbor. Participants will have the opportunity to donate blood, be tested to become a bone marrow donor, and sign up to become a part of the organ donor registry.

About 1 in 500 African Americans have sickle cell disease, an inherited, life-long disease that causes abnormal red blood cells. A serious complication of the disease is stroke, and there is a 70 percent chance of recurrence. Regular blood transfusions are the only way to prevent another stroke.

For patients who need blood transfusions as treatment for their disease, the best transfusion match is from someone of the same ethnic group. While the disease affects many ethnic groups, it is most prevalent in African Americans. That's why African Americans are needed to donate blood regularly to support patients with sickle cell disease.

"Currently, blood donations from African Americans are not keeping pace with the need of sickle cell disease patients," says Andrew D. Campbell, M.D., director of the Pediatric Comprehensive Sickle Cell Program at the U-M Comprehensive Cancer Center. "We believe that African Americans are not aware of this great need and the importance of regular blood donations - at least three times a year. Hence, in preparation for the donor drive, creation awareness and education are top priorities."

To take part in the March 16 event, contact the Ann Arbor Community Center at 734-662-3128.

Donors (Blood) should go to www.givelife.org, click Donate Blood Now and fill in their email address and birth date where indication, and the sponsor code, aac. The donor will then have to fill out a registration page, click the bottom button and they will be directed to the Ann Arbor Community blood drive.