September is National Preparedness Month. As the seasons change, the American Red Cross asks people to continue donating blood and platelets to prevent a shortage this fall and stay prepared for emergencies.

Donors are needed every day for all types of patients, including those with sickle cell disease. Blood transfusions are often critical to pain management for those with sickle cell, some requiring more than 100 units of blood a year.

• In the U.S., more than 100,000 people live with sickle cell disease, and most are of African descent.

• Closely matched blood leads to the best outcomes for sickle cell patients who require frequent transfusions. One in 3 African American blood donors is a match for people with sickle cell.