In Case You Missed It — Iconic Excellence Comes to Tucson

5 takeaways

What you need to know

Dr. Drew's work is still saving lives. The Red Cross blood program he launched in 1941 is the foundation of today's blood supply — and Tucson came out to honor him.
A diverse donor base matters most for sickle cell. Many people with sickle cell disease need regular transfusions, and the closest match often comes from donors of similar background.
People with sickle cell trait can still give. Not red cells — but platelets and plasma, which sickle cell patients need too.
Trust comes before turnout. Speakers named the community's well-founded mistrust and said trusted partners, family and friends are how education lands.
The ask is clear: host a drive, give every 56 days, bring someone. Churches, schools, businesses, fraternities, sororities and families were all invited to step up.

Moments that mattered

Six quotes worth hearing

Tap any quote to play the exact second it was said.

🔴 American Red Cross🟡 Event partners🟣 Sickle Cell Warriors & advocates🟢 Community voices🔵 From the audience

Dr. Drew didn't leave a trail. He left a highway.

MAMoses Akpan · Sickle Cell Foundation of Arizona · 2026 Sickle Cell Champion Award honoree · Moses Akpan Receives the Sickle Cell Champion Award

We have to build the supply before the emergency happens.

CJCrystal Jackson · American Red Cross · 19 years · Sickle Cell Initiative champion · A Call to Action: Dr. Aja Murphy & Crystal Jackson

our movement goes at the pace of trust, and that's where we're at today.

CSCourtney Slanacker · Executive Director, American Red Cross Southern Arizona · Audience Q&A #2: Teach Black Excellence — and Who Can Donate?

As a warrior, we get the blood, but we don't know all the story behind it.

AGAkilah Gilbert · Sickle Cell Warrior & Family Advocate · Akilah Gilbert: A Warrior's Thank-You

If we'll accept blood, we should be able to donate also and make it a part of the culture.

AMDr. Aja Murphy · Board Member, American Red Cross · board-certified physician · A Call to Action: Dr. Aja Murphy & Crystal Jackson

they are not eligible to donate red blood cells, but they can donate platelets and plasma, because patients that have sickle cell absolutely need platelets and plasma as well.

YMDr. Yvette Miller · Featured speaker · American Red Cross medical officer and transfusion medicine leader · Audience Q&A #2: Teach Black Excellence — and Who Can Donate?

Watch the night

All 8 clips

Part 12:43

Welcome: Celebrating the Founder of Blood Banking

Courtney Slanacker and Samuel Ross open the night — why Dr. Drew, why now, and why every donation matters for sickle cell.

🩸 Blood donation🤝 Partnership

Part 21:34

Audience Q&A #1: Is Blood Still Frozen and Dried?

The film showed WWII plasma being frozen and dried. Is that still how we store blood today?

🧪 Blood science❓ Audience Q&A

Part 33:07

Audience Q&A #2: Teach Black Excellence — and Who Can Donate?

A young mother's promise to teach her son about Black leaders — and a clear answer on sickle cell trait and donation.

✊ Black excellence🩸 Who can donate🤝 Trust

Part 42:48

Audience Q&A #3: We Need to Know More About Sickle Cell

“I knew of sickle cell… but I didn't really know.” A call to educate — and a surprising fact about malaria.

🔬 Sickle cell education⛪ Community

Part 52:07

Akilah Gilbert: A Warrior's Thank-You

Akilah Gilbert on what it means to know the story behind every unit of blood she receives.

🟣 Sickle Cell Warriors💜 Gratitude

Part 62:41

Moses Akpan Receives the Sickle Cell Champion Award

A surprise honor from the American Red Cross and the Arizona Achievers Foundation — and a line about Dr. Drew no one will forget.

🏆 Champion Award🟣 Advocacy

Part 77:54

A Call to Action: Dr. Aja Murphy & Crystal Jackson

Trust, culture and supply: two Red Cross leaders close the night with a clear ask for every church, school and family.

📣 Call to action🩸 Host a blood drive🤝 Trust

Part 87:20

Afterthoughts: What Tucson Took Home

Red Cross staff, a church leader, the NAACP health chair and more on what the film changed for them.

💬 Reflections⛪ Churches🎬 Film

Carry it forward

Test what you learned, play the Iconic Excellence Bingo, and take the Drew Pledge to give blood.

🎯 Knowledge Check 🎯 Iconic Excellence Bingo 🎧 It's in the Blood 📍 Find a blood drive