Donate blood to help save sickle cell patients

This Black History Month and beyond, check your eligibility to give blood, which can help people with sickle cell disease. 

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a genetic blood disorder that predominantly affects people of African and Caribbean descent. It causes red blood cells to deform into a sickle shape, leading to severe pain, organ damage and other life-threatening complications. 

Over 15,000 people in the UK are affected by the disease, and this includes residents of Richmond upon Thames. For many people who have SCD, regular blood transfusions are a crucial lifeline.

Community blood donations, particularly from Black and minority ethnic donors, are essential to saving lives. You can help to support those affected and save lives by checking if you are eligible to donate blood. 

For more information about SCD or to access support services available, visit the Sickle Cell Society website.

For more information on donating blood and to check your eligibility, visit NHS Blood and Transplant’s Give Blood website.