New and existing black donors are being urged to give blood in memory of Evan Nathan Smith this weekend.
A series of special donation sessions are taking place on World Sickle Cell Awareness Day on Saturday, June 19, and Father’s Day on Sunday in five blood donor centres across London.
Black donors are in particular demand because they are ten times more likely to have Ro, the blood type needed to help people with sickle cell disease complications. The genetic illness, most prevalent in people with black African heritage, is treated with regular blood transfusions.
There are 15,000 existing patients with the disease in the UK, and three hundred babies are born with it every year. Each donor can save up to three lives with one donation.
The sessions are part of a nationwide appeal by United by Blood, a coalition comprising social organisations African Caribbean Leukaemia Trust (ACLT), Black Mums Upfront and Cell Fe For Life supported by NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT), in memory of Evan Nathan Smith – a young black man who had sickle cell disease and died following a sickle cell crisis. The appeal is designed to encourage more black people to register and become regular blood donors in Evan Nathan’s memory.
Colin Anderson, community and engagement lead at NHS Blood and Transplant, said:
“It is vital that Black people understand the growing need from within our own community for ethnically matched blood and that they feel comfortable coming to donate.
“Sickle cell is the most common and fastest growing genetic disorder in the UK that mainly affects black people, and many patients rely on regular blood transfusions to help treat and prevent the painful symptoms and complications.
“These patients require blood that is more closely matched, and this is most likely to come from a donor of the same ethnicity.
“There is a rise in black people donating blood, but we urgently need more to become regular donors.”
Call the priority booking line on 0300 303 2737 to book your appointment.