Elodie - Sickle Cell Warrior
Ro Blood Type
The Ro blood type is extremely rare but is invaluable for patients with sickle cell disease.
Rare and Uncommon Blood Types
Learn about rare and uncommon blood types, including the correlation between blood type and ethnicity and what blood types help patients with sickle cell.
Importance of Diverse Donors
Diverse blood donations improve blood transfusion outcomes for sickle cell patients and diverse blood recipients. Make an appointment to donate blood.
You Are Your Own Best Match Flyer
People who look like you, need donors like you. Help us spread awareness in your community by reading this educational flyer.
What is Sickle Cell Disease Flyer
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an inherited disorder of hemoglobin. Learn how this affects people and how donors like you make a difference.
Why is Ro Blood Important and Who Needs It Flyer
As an Ro donor, you have the power to save lives of patients in your community, especially individuals battle sickle cell disease.
No, Ro characteristics on blood cells are not abnormal and perform normally. Ro does not mean that you have sickle cell.
The vast majority of blood recipients have no trouble. Patients on chronic transfusions, like those with Sickle Cell Disease, are at a higher risk for developing issues if more specifically matched blood is not available.
Perhaps, like all blood types Ro is inherited from your parents. There is a significant chance that others in your family also have this special type.
Versiti tests every donor’s blood to find the best matches for patients. This is how we ensure an ample blood supply for hospitals and patients. After donating, if your blood has Ro characteristics, Versiti may contact you to let you know your blood is very needed.
Ideally, three or more donations a year. Sickle Cell Disease patients reliant on transfusion require 8-10 units per month. That means they rely on 8-10 donors a month for one treatment. You are invaluable to these patients!
It is a normal blood type that is specially found in only 4% of our current donors.
They don’t express specific proteins that make their blood a safer transfusion for those with sickle cell disease.
Versiti supplies sickle cell disease programs locally and nationally, your blood will be sent to the patient that needs it most.