Just like your eye color, your blood makes you unique. Everyone belongs to group A, B, O or AB. However, we inherit the "tiny" antigens found in our blood.

Of the 5% of the population that donates blood, only 10% are African American or Hispanic. This means that there are less minority blood donors than needed to treat children with sickle cell disease. When a child needs a transfusion, the blood must match as closely as possible, if not, the body will reject it.

In the minority population there is a greater amount of blood types 0 and B than in Caucasians. Because large amounts of blood are needed to treat Sickle Cell disease, we have a growing need for minority blood donors.

During transfusions the patient's blood must match as closely as possible in both the type and specific antigens of the blood being transfused. Since we inherit certain antigens from our ancestors, someone of the same race and ethnicity is found to be a better match for them.

There are approximately 600 children in Boston alone who suffer from Sickle Cell Disease.

More on why you should give blood?

More on blood donation requirements