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| Sickle cell: Black donors urged to give blood to help treat patients | Sickle cell: Black donors urged to give blood to help treat patients |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| A record 250 blood donations are needed every day to treat sickle cell | A record 250 blood donations are needed every day to treat sickle cell |
| The NHS is urgently calling for black donors to give blood to help people with sickle cell disease as the demand for donations reaches record levels. | The NHS is urgently calling for black donors to give blood to help people with sickle cell disease as the demand for donations reaches record levels. |
| About 250 donations are needed every day to help treat the blood disorder in England. | About 250 donations are needed every day to help treat the blood disorder in England. |
| But currently only about half of all hospital requests are being met with matched blood, the NHS says. | But currently only about half of all hospital requests are being met with matched blood, the NHS says. |
| Sickle cell mostly affects people of black heritage and ethnically-matched blood gives the best treatment. | Sickle cell mostly affects people of black heritage and ethnically-matched blood gives the best treatment. |
| The disease, which is the fastest-growing genetic condition in the UK, causes red blood cells to distort and become sticky, blocking vessels and restricting oxygen supply, which triggers excruciating pain. | The disease, which is the fastest-growing genetic condition in the UK, causes red blood cells to distort and become sticky, blocking vessels and restricting oxygen supply, which triggers excruciating pain. |
| Many patients need regular blood transfusions to stay alive. | Many patients need regular blood transfusions to stay alive. |
| Five years ago, 150 donations a day were needed. Now that figure is at 250, with the demand projected to keep on rising. | Five years ago, 150 donations a day were needed. Now that figure is at 250, with the demand projected to keep on rising. |
| NHS Blood and Transplant say this is due to patients living longer and the increased use of complete blood transfusions, which has improved patient outcomes. | |
| About 55% of black people have a Ro blood type, compared to 2% of the wider population. | About 55% of black people have a Ro blood type, compared to 2% of the wider population. |
| It is clinically safe for patients to be treated with O negative - the universal blood type - but that can lead to complications in the long term. | It is clinically safe for patients to be treated with O negative - the universal blood type - but that can lead to complications in the long term. |
| Sadeh Graham requires regular transfusions | Sadeh Graham requires regular transfusions |
| Sadeh Graham, from the West Midlands town of West Bromwich, needs all her blood replaced by donor blood every four weeks. | Sadeh Graham, from the West Midlands town of West Bromwich, needs all her blood replaced by donor blood every four weeks. |
| "Some days I struggle to get out of bed and have a shower due to the sheer pain in my limbs," she said. | "Some days I struggle to get out of bed and have a shower due to the sheer pain in my limbs," she said. |
| "Some days I wake up feeling great, and some days I wake up in hospital, connected to machines and told that days have passed." | "Some days I wake up feeling great, and some days I wake up in hospital, connected to machines and told that days have passed." |
| She credits the transfusions for saving her life "many times over". | She credits the transfusions for saving her life "many times over". |
| What is sickle cell disease? | What is sickle cell disease? |
| People with sickle cell disease produce unusually shaped red blood cells | People with sickle cell disease produce unusually shaped red blood cells |
| About 15,000 people in the UK have the disease | About 15,000 people in the UK have the disease |
| It is inherited from both parents, who pass on a particular gene | It is inherited from both parents, who pass on a particular gene |
| It is possible to carry the gene without having the disease | It is possible to carry the gene without having the disease |
| Nearly 300 babies are born with it each year in the UK | Nearly 300 babies are born with it each year in the UK |
| A simple blood test will show whether someone has it | A simple blood test will show whether someone has it |
| Children with sickle cell are at greater risk of a stroke | Children with sickle cell are at greater risk of a stroke |
| Other symptoms can include serious infections, anaemia and tiredness | Other symptoms can include serious infections, anaemia and tiredness |
| Source: Sickle Cell Society / NHS | Source: Sickle Cell Society / NHS |
| The urgent call from the NHS Blood and Transplant service comes as it launches a Black History Month campaign to highlight how black communities have the power to help treat sickle cell and provide life-changing blood donations. | |
| Dr Rekha Anand, a consultant in transfusion medicine, said: "Matched blood is vital for sickle cell patients to reduce the risk of serious complications and black people are more likely to be able to donate matched blood. | Dr Rekha Anand, a consultant in transfusion medicine, said: "Matched blood is vital for sickle cell patients to reduce the risk of serious complications and black people are more likely to be able to donate matched blood. |
| "There has been a small rise in black people donating blood but we urgently need more to become regular donors. | "There has been a small rise in black people donating blood but we urgently need more to become regular donors. |
| "Giving blood is easy, quick and safe - and you will save and improve lives." | "Giving blood is easy, quick and safe - and you will save and improve lives." |
| Professor Kevin Fenton, regional director for London for the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, said: "Being able to provide high quality clinical care to sickle cell patients both saves and improves the quality of their lives and is an important step in helping tackle health inequalities." | Professor Kevin Fenton, regional director for London for the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, said: "Being able to provide high quality clinical care to sickle cell patients both saves and improves the quality of their lives and is an important step in helping tackle health inequalities." |
| People can check their eligibility to donate online. | |
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