If the worst happened and you needed lifesaving blood to keep you alive, you would hope that there would be an ample supply of the stuff to ensure you made a full recovery, right? Well, for many people in the black community, that scenario couldn’t be further from the truth.
The fact is, not enough of us give blood and the irony is people from black communities are more likely to have genetic blood conditions, such as sickle cell disease, which requires regular blood transfusions, and need blood the most. MOBO has announced a new partnership with NHS Blood and Transplant to launch “B Positive”, a ground breaking national campaign with a 60-strong choir at its focus.
The “B Positive” campaign, so named after a blood type that is more common in the black population, hopes to drive registrations of much needed, lifesaving new blood donors, particularly 17-35 year olds from Black communities.
This is the second partnership campaign between MOBO and NHS Blood and Transplant following last year’s successful ‘Represent’ campaign headed up by MOBO 2016 Best Female winner Lady Leshurr. The “B Positive” choir is a 60-strong group comprised of individuals who either live with sickle cell or families, friends and supporters of those who are affected by the disease. The choir’s members have come from all over England and are led by Choir Master, Colin Anderson.
MOBO Founder and CEO, Kanya King MBE said “MOBO has always had a social and cultural responsibility to drive positive change, so we are proud to team up with NHS Blood and Transplant again to launch this vital campaign. “B Positive” has been created to raise awareness and encourage blood donation through the power of music and motivate a new generation to take action and get involved. “B Positive” is a positive rallying cry that we hope will win the hearts and minds of MOBO’s heartland audience, it really is about donating blood and saving lives.”
NHS Blood and Transplant needs 200,000 new blood donors a year, so what are you waiting for? Donating blood takes less than an hour and can save up to three lives per donation.
The choir will make their debut with an exclusive performance on 20 November 2017 at the MOBO Pre Awards Show at Boisdale Canary Wharf, London, and they will also perform at various events and locations, culminating in a rousing appearance at the 22nd MOBO Awards itself.
