In conjunction with the local blood donation station Greater Friendship hosts an annual blood drive in September in memory of the late Germaine “Tony” Johnson, a long time member of Greater Friendship who suffered from Sickle Cell Disease. He was a fierce advocate for sufferers of
Sickle Cell.Through his foundation, Sickle Cell Support Services, “Tony” as he was affectionately known, and his wife LaKeisha Aldridge Johnson, worked tirelessly advocating for suffers of Sickle Cell Disease. After lobbying Arkansas state legislators for years regarding the need for a specialized clinic for adults with Sickle Cell, in January of 2014 the UAMS Adult Sickle Cell Clinical Program was established. In June of 2014 Tony lost his battle with Sickle Cell Disease but through clinics like the UAMS Adult Sickle Cell Clinic and with blood drives in honor of Germaine we continue to fight the good fight to win the war. We Suffer, We Fight, We Win!