Appeal for blood donations to help people with sickle cell disease
Eugene Matthew donates blood with the help of donor carer Steph Kaye. Pic: NHS Blood and Transplant - Credit: Archant
Health chiefs are calling for more blood donations especially from the black community to help cope with a surge in demand from people with sickle cell disease.
NHS Blood and Transplant have rolled out an extra 350 weekly appointments so donors can give blood at sessions across London including Newham, Tower Hamlets and Hackney.
Black people are more likely to have sickle cell disease and many sufferers need Ro group blood.
Over the last three years there has been an 80per cent increase in requests for the rare type.
There is a desperate shortage in London despite 45pc of all potential Ro blood donors living in the capital.
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In addition to the extra appointments a donor centre has opened in the West End which has been refurbished to appeal to young donors.
The centre, which is open seven days a week, will provide a comfortable donation experience with free Wi-Fi and plug sockets for people to charge their phones.
To register and book an appointment to donate download the mobile GiveBlood app, call 0300 123 23 23 or visit blood.co.uk.
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