WASHINGTON – Although it’s considered the off-season in the NFL, it’s a different kind of season for San Diego Chargers’ Jeremiah Attaochu. It’s a season for giving back to the community.
Attaochu hosted the first blood drive through his non-profit, Glory’s Hope Sickle Cell Foundation, in Washington D.C. on Monday.
He named the organization after his sister, Glory, who is battling sickle cell anemia. They serve to support research and educate individuals in Africa and the United States on the disorder.
“My inspiration for hosting this event was my sister’s struggle her whole life with sickle cell,” the DMV native and Nigerian-American Attaochu said. “And also wanting to get the minority community out to give blood.”
One in 12 African-Americans carry the sickle cell gene, according to the American Society of Hematology. Georgia Tech alumni Attaochu says he wants to raise awareness and help increase the blood supply for patients like his sister.
Dozens of people attended the life-saving event, including sickle cell patients, advocates and their loved ones. Tommy Page, a sickle cell advocate, has three sons who were diagnosed with sickle cell. One of his sons passed away six years ago.
“Getting young people like [Attaochu] who has a national stage to speak on, it really does give hope,” Page said.
Yolanda Johnson, 66, also attended. As a sickle cell patient and volunteer, she stressed the importance of holding blood drives.
“Blood is our lifeline,” Johnson said. “Sickle cell patients really need it.”
Attaochu and Glory plan to hold more blood drives in the future to continue making a difference. For more information, visit their website: http://www.gloryshopefoundation.org/