SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) - The Red Cross joined local officials and first responders Monday to raise awareness about the need for blood amid the ongoing fight against sickle cell disease.

It’s also part of the Red Cross’s Sickle Cell Initiative which runs through December 2027 and looks to increase the number of Black blood donors. According to the Red Cross, the disease is the most common genetic blood disorder in the United States and affects about 100,000,000 people, primarily of African descent.

Western Mass News spoke with the executive director of the Central Western Chapter of The American Red Cross, Nia Rennix, to hear why the organization is working with local black communities as part of their initiative. “Sickle cell disease disproportionately affects Black and people of

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