THE NHS is holding a blood donor recruitment event at Shepherd's Bush blood donor centre on Saturday (5) to attract South Asian donors to help treat health conditions affecting their community.
South Asian donors are needed to treat thalassemia, an inherited blood disorder which affects people of Mediterranean, south Asian, southeast Asian and Middle Eastern origin. People with thalassemia produce too little or no haemoglobin, causing anaemia, fatigue, breathing issues and other symptoms.
Blood transfusion is the main treatment for the condition, but blood from European donors can cause reactions in patients. Nearly one in five patients of Asian heritage experience side effects from inadequately matched blood. Transfusing blood from donors of the same ethnic background reduces these risks.
NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) will host the event at Westfield Shopping Centre, White City to help visitors learn about blood donation and identify their blood group. Sri Lankan food will be available for participants.
Shepherd’s Bush Donor Centre manager Antonia Patel said: “We’re calling on West London’s south Asian community to step forward and make a lifesaving blood donation. Donating is quick and easy with each unit of blood collected having the potential to save up to three lives.
“Giving blood is quick and painless. The entire appointment takes no longer than an hour and in most case is much quicker. The actual time spent in the donation chair can be around 15 minutes. Donors can only give three to four times per year, so recruiting more donors is vital to securing London’s blood stocks.
“Register now and book an appointment at blood.co.uk on the GiveBloodNHS app or call 0300 123 23 23.”
NHS Blood and Transplant, a joint England and Wales Special Health Authority, is seeking to collect 1.45 million units of blood annually to meet patient needs across England. The organisation requires up to 200,000 new donors annually to replace those who stop donating and ensure the right mix of blood groups.
There is a particular focus on recruiting donors with O negative and B negative blood types, which are vulnerable to shortfalls, as well as an urgent need for more black donors who are more likely to have the Ro blood type needed to treat sickle cell disease patients, a statement said.
For details- Call 0300 123 23 23 or visit www.blood.co.uk
Anjana Vasan
Romesh Ranganathan