DAYTON, Ohio — September is Sickle Cell Awareness Month, a time focused on the need for research and treatment of the blood disorder. Cities across the state are hosting blood drives to help.

The Community Blood Center in Dayton is hosting a week-long sickle cell blood drive to help with the critical need for blood supply. 

William McCoy III, 13, has battled with Sickle Cell disease most of his life. It’s a blood disorder where sickle-shaped blood cells block blood flow and oxygen to the muscles, causing painful episodes. 

“Pain in my stomach and stuff like that and sometimes I also get blood clots, which makes certain parts of my body feel weird or hurt,” said McCoy. 

And sickle cell coupled with asthma makes it even harder for McCoy to function. 

“I can’t really run far or do any of that stuff, so I mostly just stick to stuff I do well sitting down, like drawing and other stuff like that,” he said. 

One in 13 Black or African American babies are born with sickle cell, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Over the years, this disease has affected McCoy’s immune system. But despite those obstacles, he remains positive. 

“It doesn’t really happen a lot,” he said. “So I mostly just go through my day normally like any other kid would.”

The Community Blood Center’s Sickle Cell Awareness blood drive is helping people like McCoy. In the United States, blood donation rates of African Americans are 25 to 50% of white individuals, according to the National Library of Medicine. 

“Do anything you can to help people with sickle cell or other blood diseases,” he said. 

For more information on sickle cell blood drives, or to donate blood, click here.