Mays Family

Community encouraged to give blood 

We invite the community to donate blood in memory of Jesse and Leona Mays at a special American Red Cross Sickle Cell Awareness blood drive April 17 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Red Cross Houston at 2700 Southwest Freeway. 

Donating blood is one of the simplest things a person can do to help celebrate a person’s life. For the hour it takes to give blood, there could be a whole community of people thankful for another birthday given to a loved one.

The Blood Drive is being held in memory of the Mays who have both died of rare blood diseases. Jesse endured Sickle Cell and Leona suffered from a rare blood disease. 

Sickle cell disease causes red blood cells to be sticky, hard and crescent-shaped instead of soft and round. This makes it difficult for blood to flow smoothly and carry oxygen to the rest of the body, which may lead to severe pain, tissue and organ damage, acute anemia and even strokes. 

Blood transfusion helps patients with sickle cell disease by increasing the number of normal red blood cells in the body, helping to deliver oxygen and unblock blood vessels. Red blood cells carry markers on their surface called antigens that determine blood type. Some are unique to specific racial and ethnic groups, and because of this, those with sickle cell disease are more likely to find a compatible blood match from a blood donor who is Black.

The Mays were alumni of Southern University. Jesse was a member of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity and Leona was a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority. The Mays fought throughout their life for the underserved community and were advocates for donating blood.

Donors are encouraged to donate blood to the American Red Cross on April 17 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Red Cross Houston to help save lives. Whether blood is needed for a chronic condition, such as sickle cell disease, a surgical procedure or a large-scale emergency, it’s the blood already on the shelves that helps save lives, and a diverse blood supply is needed to help the diverse patients who depend on it. 

To make an appointment or to learn more, download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device. Completion of a RapidPass®online health history questionnaire is encouraged to help speed up the donation process. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.