NEW YORK — September is Sickle Cell Awareness Month, and Monday, two girls linked by the present of life lastly obtained to satisfy for the primary time.

There have been hugs and gratitude as Shatera Weaver met Christine van Benschoten, the girl who donated blood for her life-saving remedy.

“I am extremely and inexplicably grateful for you and everyone, and I implore other people to join the ranks and get to donate blood,” Weaver advised van Benschoten.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 100,000 Americans, together with 10,000 New Yorkers, reside with sickle cell. The dysfunction impacts principally African Americans.

It causes some purple blood cells to develop into deformed right into a sickle form and die. Those cells clog the blood stream and may result in infections or strokes.

Patients like Weaver depend on blood transfusions to remain wholesome.

“It is what gives me my strength back. It revitalizes me and then I can get back to my life when that happens, so it really is interesting to see the person, meet the person. That’s never happened before, so it’s a surreal moment,” she mentioned.

Van Benschoten, 72, says she began donating blood repeatedly years in the past.

“It’s a chance to show that little old 72-year-old ladies can get out and donate,” she mentioned.

The second the 2 met was emotional for donor specialist Karlene Darby, who collected the life-saving donation.

“It’s just overwhelming and heart-rending,” she mentioned.

Van Benschoten needs everybody to know that donating is straightforward.

“The people at the center where I donate are wonderful, and they give you cookies,” she mentioned.

For extra data on tips on how to donate blood, go to nybc.org/donate-blood.

Dick Brennan

Dick Brennan joined CBS2 in 2012 as an anchor and reporter. In addition, he anchors on our digital channel CBS News New York, which can also be seen on the News at Nine on our sister station WLNY-TV.