(Ft. Lauderdale, Florida – July 15, 2026) – OneBlood, the not-for-profit blood center serving Florida and other parts of the Southeastern United States, announced today it is making significant progress in securing the 50 rare blood units needed for 18-year-old Gigi Felix to undergo a potentially lifesaving bone marrow transplant in the coming weeks.  However, the need for donations continues.

Community Call to Action

Gigi has an aggressive form of sickle cell disease, an inherited blood disorder.  Gigi has received countless blood transfusions throughout her life. As a result, she has developed complex transfusion needs and requires genetically-similar blood, meaning the blood she receives must come from donors of the same ethnicity, otherwise her body will reject the blood. 

In Gigi’s case, the only people likely to be a compatible blood match for her are African Americans and people of African descent, due to the rare antigens she has, and their prevalence among those of African descent.  Of these individuals, only 1 in 1,000 will be a potential match.

With a race against time for Gigi, OneBlood took Gigi’s story to the public, urging people who meet the donor criteria to be a potential match for Gigi to donate as soon as possible. 

“Thanks to an extraordinary response from the African American community and people of African descent, OneBlood has identified most of the 50 units of specially matched blood required before doctors can proceed with the transplant. Additional testing and crossmatching are underway to confirm compatibility,” said Susan Forbes, Senior Vice President of Corporate Communications and Public Relations for OneBlood. 

In addition to finding matches for Gigi, OneBlood says it has been able to identify other rare matches for other patients due to the increased donations from people of African descent. “It’s important for people to know that even if they are not a match for Gigi, they are still helping give patients a second chance at life,” said Forbes.

While the progress marks a major milestone in Gigi's journey toward a bone marrow transplant and potential cure from sickle cell disease, the need for donors remains. Doctors anticipate that Gigi may require additional blood transfusions before, during and after the transplant process, making continued donations essential.

"The response to Gigi's story has been extraordinary and has brought us closer than ever to making her transplant possible. Because of the immediate response by donors, Gigi is now one step closer to receiving a potentially lifesaving transplant. But the need doesn't end when the transplant begins. Additional donations are still needed to help support Gigi throughout the transplant and her recovery,” said Forbes.

Additional Blood Needed Beyond the Transplant

As OneBlood nears its goal of securing the blood required for Gigi's transplant, doctors are now planning for the next phase of her care.

Gigi is expected to undergo her bone marrow transplant in the coming weeks. Although the procedure offers the possibility of a cure from sickle cell disease, the transplant process will require ongoing blood support. Doctors have asked OneBlood to continue identifying compatible blood donations that may be needed before, during and after the transplant.

As part of the transplant, Gigi's blood type will gradually transition to match that of her brother, who is serving as her bone marrow donor. During that transition period, carefully matched blood products may still be required, making continued donor participation critical.

"Our focus is not only ensuring we have the blood needed to begin the transplant, but also ensuring compatible blood is available throughout Gigi's recovery," said David Crawford, MD, PhD, Pediatric Hematology and Oncology at Holtz Children's Hospital at UHealth Jackson Children's Care. "The response OneBlood has seen from donors so far has been remarkable, but we continue to encourage eligible donors to come forward so we can meet Gigi's ongoing needs and support her every step of the way."

To be a Match for Gigi Donors Must Meet the Following Criteria:

·       Must be African American or of African descent.

·       Type O Blood

·       Donors can visit oneblood.org/Gigi to make an appointment and to find a OneBlood donor center or Big Red Bus blood drive.

The urgent appeal for donors for Gigi comes at a time when OneBlood and other blood centers around the country are experiencing an emergency blood shortage, further heightening the need for people to donate blood.

What Makes Gigi’s Blood Rare?

The challenge in finding compatible blood for Gigi comes down to antigens. Antigens are found on the surface of red blood cells.  Genetics determine the antigens a person has and the antigens they lack.

For a person to be a match for Gigi, they not only need to be the same blood type, they need to have the same antigen profile, otherwise, her body will reject the blood.  The antigen combination Gigi has will only be found in individuals of African descent. Statistically, only 1 in 1,000 individuals of African descent will be a blood match for Gigi.

Why is Blood Needed for the Transplant?

When Gigi goes through the bone marrow transplant, she will need blood transfusions until her body can start making red blood cells again.  Doctors are concerned she could have transfusion complications during the transplant and that is why an extraordinary amount of specially matched blood must be on-hand before proceeding with the transplant. The risks of her going into a transplant without enough blood are too high. 

A Chance for a Cure

A successful bone marrow transplant will give Gigi a chance at a life free of the debilitating and life-threatening complications of sickle cell disease. “Almost every patient that gets a transplant for sickle cell is cured of the disease,” said Dr. Crawford.

Sickle Cell Disease and the Need for a Diverse Blood Supply

Sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disorder that primarily affects the African American community and people of African ancestry. Many sickle cell patients require frequent blood transfusions throughout their lives. To avoid transfusion complications the best blood match for sickle cell patients is for them to receive blood from donors of the same ethnicity.  Unfortunately, less than 4% of African Americans donate blood and that reality makes it challenging to find compatible blood for sickle cell patients.

“Gigi’s story is shining a spotlight on the need for a diverse blood supply. For patients with complex antigen profiles like Gigi, a diverse donor base is essential.  The incredible response to Gigi's story has shown what is possible, and we hope it inspires lasting change in blood donation within the African American community,” said Forbes.