SALISBURY — Hood Theological Seminary will host a blood drive from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Saturday. The Bloodmobile of the Community Blood Center of the Carolinas will be in the parking lot next to the security office on the seminary campus at 1810 Lutheran Synod Drive.

While donors of all ethnicities are needed, there is a critical need for blood donations from the African-American and black communities, said Dean of Students Dora Mbuwayesango, who organized the blood drive.

“Unfortunately, African-Americans are disproportionately impacted by certain diseases which are treated through blood transfusions, such as sickle cell anemia,” she said.

Genetically similar blood is preferred for those who need repeated blood transfusions and for conditions like sickle cell disease, which primarily affects African-Americans. Blood that closely matches that of a patient is less likely to be rejected by the patient and can mean fewer complications after a transfusion.

African-American blood donors are more likely to be a match for the majority of individuals with sickle cell, making them ideal donors to help sickle cell patients receiving regular blood transfusions.

According to the blood center, researchers have found that African-Americans are underrepresented among donors and that minority donors in general are less likely to become regular donors. Blood Types O and B, the types of about 70% of African-Americans, are also most in demand.

The blood drive is in honor of and gratitude for Jack Rouviere, a senior in the master of divinity program who has received blood transfusions in the recent past.

“As a recent recipient of a blood transfusion due to a medical emergency, I am very cognizant of the importance of having such drives. Personally, I have given blood over the years, and for someone that is quite adverse to needles, I have had nothing but positive experiences,” Rouviere said.

To schedule a time, visit https://www.oneblood.org/donate-now/donation-centers-list-select-time.stml?driveID=824609 or call Mbuwayesango at 704-636-6077.