Richard Webster Bass Health Institute’s Project Little Veins to receive a donation for every donor through LifeSouth's Community Grant Program
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — September 25, 2026 — LifeSouth Community Blood Centers and Richard Webster-Bass Health Institute (RWBHI) today announced a new partnership to raise awareness of sickle cell disease in Northeast Florida. The organizations will host a series of community blood drives beginning on September 30 at the University of North Florida.
The community is asked to donate blood, and a community grant from the LifeSouth Community Grant program will be given to the RWBHI in support of Project Little Veins, a program of RWBHI, which provides care packages of comfort items and essentials to sickle cell patients during hospital stays and treatment. Fredrianna Copeland-Webster founded Project Little Veins following her own experiences as a sickle cell patient, including extended hospital stays and severe complications that required multiple life-saving blood transfusions. Sickle cell disease is a genetic blood disorder that causes red blood cells to form a rigid, crescent shape instead of the normal disc shape, making it difficult for cells to move through blood vessels and deliver oxygen. The disease predominantly affects people of African descent and can cause severe pain crises, organ damage, stroke and other complications requiring frequent, and sometimes lifelong, blood transfusions.
“LifeSouth is proud to partner with the Richard Webster-Bass Health Institute and Project Little Veins on this initiative to raise awareness about sickle cell disease,” said Tim Harvey, Life South Community Blood Center’s District Director. “LifeSouth is the only blood center in this region where a donor's blood stays in the local community, so every donation has a direct, measurable impact on patients here in Northeast Florida.”
Florida carries one of the heaviest sickle cell disease burdens of any state in the country, with an estimated 13,886 people living with the disease statewide, according to a 2023 American Society of Hematology population model. State Medicaid data shows the disease disproportionately affects young Black Floridians, and patients frequently rely on hospital and emergency care to manage complications. Because sickle cell disease predominantly affects the Black community, and because donors and patients who share ethnic and genetic backgrounds are more likely to be compatible matches, a stable, diverse local blood supply is critical to patient care.
“I encourage everyone who is eligible, especially Black community members, to donate through LifeSouth or host a blood drive at your church or business to help ensure a stable blood supply in our community for patients who rely on lifesaving transfusions,” said Copeland-Webster.
All blood types are needed, and members of the public are encouraged to attend regardless of blood type or ethnicity. Donors who are a genetic match for sickle cell patients are identified through LifeSouth's Sickle Cell Hero program and notified so they can continue donating regularly to help reduce transfusion complications for local patients.
RWBHI was founded by Selena Webster-Bass, in memory of her son, Richard, who passed away from complications of sickle cell disease before his second birthday. The Institute provides education, advocacy and support for individuals and families affected by sickle cell disease, along with scholarship programs for the community.
Upcoming RWBHI Project Little Veins Blood Drives
Wednesday, September 30 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Location: The University of North Florida at 1 UNF Dr., Jacksonville, FL 32224
Free pizza for the first 100 donors in partnership with Wingard
Thursday, October 1 from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Location: Peace Missionary Baptist Church at 1759 Rowe Ave, Jacksonville, FL 32208
Tuesday, October 6, time TBD
Location: Edward Waters University at 1658 Kings Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32209
Free pizza for the first 100 donors in partnership with Here Tomorrow
Members of the community who are unable to donate blood but want to support sickle cell patients and families are encouraged to learn more or give directly to the Richard Webster-Bass Health Institute at richardwbhi.org.
###
About LifeSouth Community Blood Centers:
LifeSouth is a non-profit community blood bank serving more than 200 hospitals in Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Tennessee. LifeSouth is committed to meeting the blood supply needs of hospitals and their patients by providing the highest quality blood components and services. The LifeSouth team is dedicated to making sure the blood is there when a patient is in need. To learn more, visit LifeSouth.org. For more resources and information about blood donation, visit donatingblood.org.