Operation Push For Blood was created by Tina Kay because she was born with an inherited blood disorder (sickle cell disease) that has no cure and she needs blood often.  After needing blood and there was none available for 4 days she decided to make this one of her platforms, blood donation.   Many people don't know that blood contains DNA and has to genetically match in order for the person in need of blood to receive blood from a donor.  In laymans terms, it is best to receive blood from someone in your race (because more times than not there is a genetic match).  With blood transfusions and blood exchanges being common therapies for people like Tina Kay living with SCD, more African American blood donors are needed!  Tina Kay works closely with Life South Community Blood Centers who provide Alabama with approximately 95% of the blood in Alabama, because their specialty is blood and nothing else.  She's an amazing person according to Life South check it out http://www.lifesouth.org/donate/patient-stories/..

Tina has teamed up with First United Community Foundation (501c3), the NAACP (Alabama Conference) & Summit Media Group to get 50,000 African Americans to donate blood by December 31, 2015.  This campaign is in rememberance of our forefathers who bled and died 50 years ago for our rights during 'Bloody Sunday', we are asking people to donate blood or donate funds, however, both would be ideal!

It is sad but true that the percentage of blood donated by black people is not filling the need, meaning more black people need to donate blood.  So, Tina Kay created a movement to educate, engage, and encourage blood donation in her community.  Most times Tina will use her own money to host blood drives in the form of competitions, challenges, festivals, events, and town hall forums to help increase the amount of donated blood.  She works with schools, churches, non-profits, organizations, and events to set up blood drives.  She really needs your help!  Studies have found that 37% of the population can donate blood but only 10% donate, if you are reading this and you do not donate blood on a regular basis now is your chance to make a difference by donating a kind contribution.

Did you know every 2 seconds someone in the US needs blood, 1 blood donation can save the lives of 3 people, and 4.5 million people will need blood every year.  In order to save lives and provide a better quality of life for others needing blood we need your generous monetary donation!  You never know, it could be your child or you in need of blood one day!

The kick off competitive festival for this campaign witll begin Saturday, April 18, 2015 from 10am-6pm in Avondale Park (Birmingham, AL) see www.tinakay.net or on Facebook Arts For Life Festival.  If you would like to enter your group or high school into the kick off festival (blood donation) competition or if you would like to  host a blood drive please email oppush4blood@gmail.com.   But right now please donate funds to help provide a better quality of life and to save lives TODAY!