What’s your blood type?
In partnership with NHS Blood and Transplant, our Multicultural Inclusion Network (MIN) is hosting another one of our popular Know Your Blood Type events on Monday 27 October, 10am – 3pm at the Waldron Health Centre in New Cross.
Finding out about your blood type is just the first step in making a potentially lifesaving decision that could help someone in need.
It’s always the right time to encourage people to donate blood, and during Black History Month, it’s especially important to our network to highlight the healthcare challenges that our diverse population face.
With the fifth highest number of people living with sickle cell disorder in the UK, we especially need more donors to come forward so that people can get closely matched blood. Only 3% of blood donors nationwide are from Black background which means many patients wait longer for the best match:
- 47% of Black heritage donors have the Ro blood subtype which is vital for treating sickle cell disorder.
- Closely matched blood reduces the risk of life-threatening reactions and long-term complications.
- A person with sickle cell may need up to 100 units of blood per year.
No matter what your background is, blood donation is a vital part of keeping our communities healthy. If you’re the giving type, come along to the Waldron Health Centre in New Cross on Monday 27 October and find out how your blood could help someone else.
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