NHS plea for more donors of Black heritage – as three quarters of blood needed for sickle cell patients is used in London

11 September 2024

Flashmob selfieNew figures released today by NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT), to mark Sickle Cell Awareness Month, show that last year (2023/24) 210 donations of blood were needed each day for treating patients with sickle cell disease across England, with over three quarters of this blood – 160 units – needed by hospitals in London.

With blood stocks significantly impacted over the past few months, and with an Amber Alert still in place, sickle cell patients are amongst those patients most reliant on blood being available when they need it.

To kickstart the appeal, a flashmob made up of members of Melodees from Heaven and B positive choirs will be popping up in key parts of London throughout September, highlighting the urgent need for more people of Black heritage to come forward and give blood.

Why do we need more donors of Black heritage?

Sickle cell is the UK’s fastest growing genetic disorder. It is more common in people of Black heritage and blood from donors of the same ethnicity provides the best treatment. But the shortage of Black heritage donors means sickle cell patients do not always get the best matched blood they need.

Many people with sickle cell need the specific blood sub type Ro. Fifty six per cent of blood donors of Black heritage have the much needed Ro subtype compared with just 2.4 percent of donors from other ethnicities.

What is sickle cell?

Donor giving blood donation and holding their blood donation bagSickle cell causes red blood cells to form into sickle or crescent shapes and become stuck in blood vessels, causing episodes of severe pain known as crises, as well as serious or even fatal complications including organ damage and strokes.

Many sickle cell patients rely on regular blood transfusions or full blood exchanges to proactively manage their symptoms, while others are given transfusions as an emergency treatment.

A single patient receiving regular full blood exchanges can require blood from up to 100 donors each year.

Get involved

The first flashmob performance took place at the weekend in Stratford and another performance will follow later this month outside London’s Festival Hall, Southbank, when the Choir performs as part of the Premier Gospel Awards.

To register and book an appointment to donate, visit our website, use the NHS Give Blood app or call 0300 123 23 23.

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