Sickle Cell Sabbath Weekend (Statewide – Ohio)

Sickle Cell Sabbath is an interfaith outreach campaign designed to educate and increase awareness within the faith-based community about sickle cell disease and the need for minority blood donors.  Although sickle cell disease affects persons of African ancestry at higher rates, individuals with heritage from Spanish-speaking regions in the Western Hemisphere (South America, the Caribbean, and Central America), the Middle East, India, and Mediterranean countries such as Turkey, Greece, and Italy can also be affected.  The goal of the Sickle Cell Sabbath Campaign is simple:  increase the number of available blood donors within these various ethnic groups.

A statewide initiative, Sickle Cell Sabbath, is a coordinated, cooperative effort between the ODH Sickle Cell Services Program, the State-Funded Regional Sickle Cell Projects, regional blood programs in Ohio (participation may vary), and various statewide and/or local faith-based groups and organizations.  All religious denominations are encouraged to participate. Sickle Cell Sabbath is observed annually on the third weekend (Saturday and Sunday) during September, National Sickle Cell Awareness Month.

For more information on the Sickle Cell Disease or the Sabbath Campaign contact us at 614-228-0157.