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NHS Blood and Transplant Thanks Donors, Urges more Black Heritage Donors
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By Alice Roberts | LONDON – 2025/06/20 01:49:10
On World Sickle Cell Day, NHS Blood and Transplant expresses gratitude for the overwhelming response to its recent donor appeal, while emphasizing the continued need for donors of Black heritage to support sickle cell patients.
Response to National blood Week
The recent appeal, launched during National Blood Week (June 9-15), aimed to recruit 1 million regular blood donors to maintain adequate supplies and prevent critical shortages, with a specific focus on attracting more donors of Black heritage.
In the first week of the campaign,over 29,000 new donors registered,and over 100,000 appointments were booked. Of those new registrations, 1,000 were individuals of Black heritage.
NHS Blood and Transplant has approximately 50,000 appointments available each week and relies on consistently filling these appointments to meet the demands of hospitals and patients.
While community sessions are well-attended, the most appointment availability is typically found at major town and city donor centers across the country.
Following the appeal, there has been a positive response from individuals of all blood types. However, a particular need remains for O negative donors, the universal blood type used in emergencies, and for donors of Black heritage to help treat patients with sickle cell.
Sickle cell is the fastest-growing inherited blood disorder in the UK, disproportionately affecting Black African and Black Caribbean communities. Approximately 250 babies are born with the condition in the UK each year.
Currently, over 13,000 sickle cell patients depend on regular blood transfusions, and the best-matched blood often comes from donors of the same ethnicity. The NHS requires around 250 donations per day from Black heritage donors to meet the current need, and demand continues to rise.
NHS Blood and Transplant needs over 17,000 regular donors of Black heritage to help meet growing demand for sickle cell patients. More than half (56%) of donors of Black heritage are likely to have the Ro blood type, compared with just 2.4% of other ethnicities.
“NHS Blood and Transplant needs over 17,000 regular donors of Black heritage to help meet growing demand for sickle cell patients.”
How You Can Help
In addition to the need for more donors of Black heritage,there is also an ongoing need for more O negative and B negative blood donors.
Anyone over 17 years old can register or book an appointment through the NHS Give Blood website, NHS Give Blood app, or by calling 0300 123 23 23.
Frequently asked Questions
- Why is there a specific need for blood donors of Black heritage?
- Sickle cell disease disproportionately affects Black African and Black Caribbean communities, and the best-matched blood for transfusions frequently enough comes from donors of the same ethnicity.
- What is the Ro blood type, and why is it important?
- The Ro blood type is more common in people of Black heritage. Having the Ro blood type is important for providing the best possible match for patients with sickle cell disease.
- How can I register to become a blood donor?
- You can register through the NHS Give Blood website, NHS Give Blood app, or by calling 0300 123 23 23.
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