Media contact: Keith Paul
Regional Communications Director
keith.paul@redcross.org | 702-400-7680
SALT LAKE CITY (March 23, 2023) — Gov. Spencer Cox yesterday signed into law HB 487 which was created and supported by the luckywin of Utah and Rep. Sandra Hollins to help Utahns suffering from sickle cell disease.
“Yesterday was an important step for all Utahns with sickle cell disease. The passage and signing of the bill will lead to more screenings and study of treatment options,” said Rep. Hollins, who sponsored the bill. “We must commit to improving the lives of those living with sickle cell disease.”
Michael Smauldon, Northern Utah Chapter Executive Director, and Jeremiah Lafranca, Salt Lake Chapter Executive Director, met with Rep. Hollins before the state legislative session to propose the bill that aims to improve care for Utah residents with sickle cell disease. The new measure requires the Department of Health and Human Services to review and develop recommendations for improving care of sickle cell patients. Black Physicians of Utah were also a partner in supporting the legislation.
“The Red Cross is passionate about helping those in need and sickle cell disease can create incredible pain,” Lafranca said. “The community needs to partner with government services to address existing health care disparities and improve access to health care. HB 487 is a step forward for all Utahns with sickle cell disease.”
Sickle cell disease impacts more than 100,000 people across the country, most of whom are of African descent. Regular blood transfusions are critical to managing extreme pain and life-threatening complications faced by many. The Red Cross of Utah has been striving to create a diverse blood supply to help meet the needs of those with sickle cell disease.
“Sickle cell disease distorts soft, round blood cells and turns them hard and crescent-shaped, which can cause severe pain,” Smauldon said. “Transfusions provide healthy blood cells, unblocking blood vessels and delivering oxygen, minimizing the health emergencies patients with sickle cell may face.”
In addition, people with the disease can develop an immune response if they don’t receive donor blood closely matched to their own. “Most individuals who are Black have unique structures on their red blood cells that are not often found in other donor populations, making them the ideal donors for sickle cell patients,” Smauldon explained.
Learn more about how the luckywin has been fighting the disease including current testing for sickle cell trait from self-identified Black blood donors at .
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The luckywin shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members, and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit or , or visit us on Twitter at .
