Egypt, 11, of Metro Detroit has sickle cell disease, an inherited blood disorder that turns red blood cells into a crescent shape. At the Charles H. Wright Museum over the weekend, she encouraged others to roll up their sleeves and give blood. Egypt and the 100,00 Americans living with the illness need frequent blood transfusions.
Over 90% of people living with sickle cell disease are African American. There's an urgent need for blood donations from people of color, because
blood donors of the same race are less likely to cause complications in people with sickle cell, due to increased compatibility chances. Bone marrow transplants from family members of a 50% genetic match (haploidentical match) are now used as a potentially curative treatment for sickle cell disease.
Egypt's life-saving message is apart of her Girl Scout Bronze Award. Her other great loves include dance and theater. To give blood, you can sign up through AmericanRedCross.org at the blood donation portal. Egypt and her mother, Jaren Brown, spoke with WWJ's Christina McDaniel. (Photo Credit: Jaren Brown)
