Sickle Cell 5K and Blood Drive hosted on same day to bring awareness to disease

LAWTON, Okla. (KSWO) - Team Ishala represented KSWO and Lawton well in the 2024 Sickle Cell 5K Walk, Run and Jog.

For the second year in a row, Carol Gardner crossed the finish line before the crowd.

Other members of the team soon followed suit.

The annual event raises funds and awareness for those who suffer from this chronic and sometimes fatal blood disease.

Gardner said she was honored to be a member of the team.

"Carol, you're an alumni, you were here last year," said 7News Evening Anchor Tarra Bates. "Why did you run again this year?"

"For Sickle Cell Awareness and being a part of a great movement for a cure," Gardner responded.

Joshua Davis, grandson of news Anchor Tarra Bates, said it was a way to remember his aunt.

"I mean, I got the Team Ishala shirt on," Davis said. "I joined because it was for my auntie who had Sickle Cell and she passed away so I know how much she meant to the family, so I wanted to come out here and do something for her."

This year's run took place at the Stars and Stripes Park in Oklahoma City. Approximately 52 people of all ages joined the event in honor of lost loved ones or to help spread awareness.

Meanwhile, in Lawton, about a dozen people showed up at the Abundant Life Christian Church to donate blood for the Sickle Cell Disease Association.

It was the Ishala Haskins Legacy Blood Drive.

Our Blood Institute initiated a statewide drive to increase Oklahoma's Blood Supply.

Officials with OBI say blood and blood products are low after summer and the beginning of fall.

If you missed out on Sept. 28, Tarra Bates invites you to join her the morning of Monday, Sept. 30 at OBI to donate as each participant triggers monetary donations to SCDA from OBI as well.