The following is excerpted from the Church Newsroom. To read the full article, CLICK HERE.

A new gift from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will help the American Red Cross better carry out its mission to prevent and alleviate human suffering.

The Church of Jesus Christ is giving the American Red Cross US$5.1 million to help it meet blood and convalescent plasma needs for hospital patients. These include new machines and the collection and maintenance of blood platelets. The gift will also be a boon for the organization’s sickle cell initiative. Sickle cell disease distorts soft and round red blood cells and turns them to hard, crescent-shaped cells. This can lead to extreme pain and serious health challenges. The project, launched in September 2021, aims to reach more blood donors who are Black because the majority of those with sickle cell are of African descent. Blood donations from Black people are critical to help those who suffer from sickle cell disease.

“As an organization dedicated to alleviating suffering, the Red Cross is committed to the health and well-being of all communities, and a diverse blood supply is critical to improving health outcomes for all patients — especially those with sickle cell disease,” said Gail McGovern, CEO and president of the Red Cross. “We greatly appreciate the Church’s extremely generous donation and continued partnership in support of our lifesaving mission.”

To read the full article, CLICK HERE.