The South Florida community is coming together in an extraordinary display of solidarity to help an 18-year-old Hollywood resident fighting an aggressive form of sickle cell disease. Gigi Felix needs 50 units of her rare blood type before doctors can proceed with a potentially curative bone marrow transplant, and the response from donors has been overwhelming.
Among the many who have answered the call is Local 10 News anchor Eric Yutzy, who rushed from his broadcast desk to the OneBlood Donation Center on Hollywood Boulevard to contribute. After learning about Felix’s story during a Monday morning broadcast, Yutzy immediately recognized he could help. Medical staff have confirmed that 30 compatible blood units have now been secured, leaving just 20 more needed for the critical procedure.
For those hesitant about donating, Yutzy offered reassurance about the process. He described the momentary discomfort as minimal compared to the constant pain sickle cell patients like Felix endure daily. OneBlood representative Susan Forbes emphasized the urgent need for a more diverse blood supply, noting that only 4% of African Americans currently donate blood despite being the most likely match for sickle cell patients, who are predominantly of African descent.
Felix expressed heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has stepped forward to donate on her behalf. She described the outpouring of support as surreal and deeply meaningful, thanking those who took the time to help a stranger pursue her dreams. Anyone interested in donating can visit any OneBlood location throughout South Florida to potentially save a life.
