Miami Teen’s Life-Saving Transplant Bolstered by Community Blood Drive
A Miami teen, 18-year-old Gigi Felix, battling sickle cell disease, is preparing for a life-saving bone marrow transplant. Following an urgent plea from OneBlood for donors with rare blood types, particularly of African descent with O negative blood, the community…
Miami Fort Lauderdale, FL, July 25, 2026 —
An 18-year-old Miami resident, Gigi Felix, is on the cusp of a life-saving bone marrow transplant as she battles sickle cell disease. The community has rallied in response to an urgent need for blood donors, particularly those of African descent with O negative blood, a rare type.
OneBlood, a blood donation organization, issued a call for donors after Felix’s need was identified. The response was significant, with the community contributing over 50 units of the specific O negative blood required for her treatment.
While Felix’s brother has been identified as a compatible bone marrow match, her medical team anticipates the potential need for additional specialized blood transfusions following the transplant procedure. This has led to an ongoing appeal for more donors, specifically seeking individuals of African descent with O positive blood.
The collective effort from the community has been instrumental in supporting Felix’s medical journey, highlighting the impact of blood donation and community support in critical healthcare situations.
Story summarized from the original created by Litzy Grijalba on wsvn.com, see more information here.
Media gallery
