FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WPTA) - A minority-focused blood drive happening Saturday at the Anthis Career Center is bringing attention to a life-threatening condition that affects hundreds of children across Indiana: Sickle cell disease.

The chronic blood disorder primarily affects people of African, Latino, South Asian, and Middle Eastern descent. For many patients, consistent blood transfusions are essential to staying alive and managing severe symptoms.

Robert Ward says he’s been living with the disease for 25 years, saying the diagnosis changed everything for his family.

“I was misdiagnosed about six times before I got properly diagnosed with sickle cell at nine months. When my mom found out about me having sickle cell, she stopped working to take care of me full time.” Robert Ward.

Riley

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