Remington College Lafayette Campus To Hold 3 Lives Blood Drive

LAFAYETTE, La. (KPEL) -- Remington College is once again teaming up with United Blood Services in a national effort to recruit minority blood donors.

The 3 Lives national campaign is an event held in concert with America's Blood Centers and the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America, according to a release from Remington. So far the campaign has successfully netted more than 8,200 pints of blood, the release stated.

2013's goal is to pass the 10,000 pint mark.

According to the release,

African American blood donors provide blood with unique antigens vital for people battling sickle cell and other life-threatening diseases.

Sickle cell trait occurs in high frequency among African Americans and/or Hispanics; more than 80,000 people in the U.S. have sickle cell disease.

Singer AJ Green, spokesperson for the 3 Lives campaign, has been battling sickle cell disease for most of his life and requires monthly blood transfusions.

"There are tens of thousands of people like me who require regular donations as part of our treatment," Green said. "My goal is to get more people of color to become regular blood donors and help save lives."

The blood drive will be held Tuesday, June 18 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.