Concept of the Day :

#TypeAndCross (often written as "type-and-cross")

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Brief History : Blood typing is the process of determining a person's blood type; cross-matching is the process of finding the most suitable donor for the patient; this is why it is called type-and-cross for short. This particular type of blood test evolved between the years of 1901 & 1980. The categorization of blood types arrived in 1901; the first crossmatch occurred in 1907; the first blood bank is established in 1932; the Coombs test (anti-globulin test) that accompanies the type and cross was perfected to screen for antibodies in 1945; and the modern-day rapid screening of the type and cross emerged in 1980.

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Real-World Application : Type and cross to check blood type and blood bank availability (1hr to 2hrs depending on how many phlebotomist techs they have), getting the blood from the blood bank (where of course emergencies have priority, it varies every time, so another couple of hours for that too), and THEN, receiving the blood takes anywhere from an additional 3 to 5 hours depending how much they want you to receive (and they start by slowly checking every 15 or 30 minutes the first couple of hours or so to make sure your can tolerate it).

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[Image Description: Start. Here is a collage showcasing two photos with aerial views of rows and stacks of bookmarks that have an opaque black or white base coat and background with individual colors (rose red, sunset orange, golden yellow, lime green, royal blue, lavender, and dark purple) drawn on each bookmark. The flower chosen is a rose; drawn with abstract line work. A swirl or spiral for the rose head, a single line for the stem, and petals with leaves that are drawn to show they have fallen off the core flower. This photoshoot took place in bed; where most of these pieces were painted; forever a bed of roses. Stop.]

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"Each rose, each petal, each leaf

represents voices silenced, and stories untold"

——— @chronicallyliv ———

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1. Tangible action items include

but are not limited to the following:

A. Donating Blood

B. Sharing Your Favorite Trivia About Sickle Cell

C. Sharing Your Favorite Post or SFSC Art Series

D. Telling Someone About Sickle Cell Awareness

E. Teaching Someone You Know About Sickle Cell

F. Getting Tested For Sickle Cell Anemia

G. Knowing Your Genotype For Sickle Cell

H. Making An Homage: Creating An Awareness or Community Project Centered Around Sickle Cell Anemia

2a. Know that an estimated ~ 8 million individuals battle sickle cell everyday; ANYONE can have it, as it is genetic; there are 7 different genotypes for sickle cell

2b. It is the least funded, the least researched, the least respected, and the least supported in comparison to other initiatives

3. Review several facets of treating Sickle Cell Anemia :

A. Clinical

B. Psychological

C. Societal

D. Medicinal

E. Biological

F. Environmental

G. Personal

H. Ancestral

I. Practical

J. Hypothetical

K. Geographical

L. Procedural

M. Financial

N. Economical

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Outreach Goals || Summer Tour || Jul thru Sept 2026

♡ Now at 77 out of 100 on FB before September 2026

♡ Now at 722 out of 1K on IG before September 2026

♡ We want to broaden our reach and make the topic of sickle cell anemia part of every-day conversation

♡ We are a community resource project bringing awareness to sickle cell anemia on a global scale since July 2025 with our first art installation in August 2025

♡ Thru the tenents of art therapy, resource sharing, resource allocation, + open discussion we explore what it means to have sickle cell anemia and all the stuff that comes right along with it

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#sicklecellanemia #sunflowersforsicklecell #breakthesicklecycle #knowyoursicklecellstatus #worldsicklecellday2026 #sicklecellawareness #boldlipsforsicklecell #sicklecellawareness365