HOLLYWOOD, Fla. — Last week, Local 10 News first reported on Gigi Felix, an 18-year-old with an aggressive form of sickle cell disease.
Felix is on standby for a curative bone marrow transplant, one that can only happen if doctors have 50 units of her rare blood type on hand.
Since then, there have been many who have answered the call for donations, a list that now includes Local 10’s Eric Yutzy, who ran straight from the anchor chair to a recliner at the OneBlood Donation Center located at 3615 Hollywood Blvd.
“When I read the words on Monday morning, in real time I said, ‘I can do this! That’s me!’” he said.
Doctors said they now have 30 confirmed units of compatible blood, with only 20 more needed for Felix’s procedure.
For those who may be apprehensive or who don’t love needles, Yutzy described the experience.
“It is a slight discomfort for major gain,” he said. “Yeah, it pinches a second, but someone like Gigi is going thru sickle cell and that’s agonizing all the time. If this is all it takes to help her somehow, it’s totally worth it.”
There is a serious need for blood in general, but Susan Forbes of One Blood said having a diverse blood supply is especially important to treat patients with specific needs.
“Only 4% of African Americans are donating blood,” said Forbes. “Yet, they’re the most likely match for sickle cell patients. It primarily impacts African Americans and those of African descent. The best blood match for sickle cell patients is gonna be from someone of the same ethnicity.”
Added Yutzy: “I understand there’s hesitation and a history of skepticism. But in the same breath, the benefit for people who need the blood to chase their own dreams, we gotta get that number higher than 4%.”
As for Felix, she’s now stable enough to be at home, and says she’s filled with gratitude for donors like Yutzy.
“I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who saw my story and chose to donate,” she said. “This is such a surreal experience, and it just makes me happy and thankful that people care enough to go and do this for me. It means a lot.”
Anyone who wishes to make a donation can visit any OneBlood location.
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