NHS Blood and Transplant relaunches its “bloodmobile” to visit selected London locations in a targetted effort to reach more Black heritage donors.

The bloodmobile, which is also known as the Mobile Blood Donor Centre, is designed to make it easier for people to donate blood closer to where they live or work.

Starting from 22 October, the bloodmobile begins its tour of London communities. It kicks off its run from Emirates Stadium before heading to many more areas over a 12 month period.

What are the current bloodmobile stops?

The bloodmobile is scheduled to visit: Greenwich, Bromley, Lewisham, Lambeth, Richmond, Wandsworth, Hounslow, Ealing, Wembley, Harrow, Enfield, Walthamstow, Hackney and Barking. It is hoped that many more Black people will take the opportunity to donate if they are able to give blood closer to where they live, work or study.

Who has donated the most in-demand type of blood for sickle cell patients?

Why are they targetting Black donors?

This is the latest strategy from NHSBT to target Black heritage donors. The current need is for an extra 16,000 new Black heritage blood donors to donate regularly in England. Black heritage donors are 10 times more likely than white donors to have a vital blood type called ‘Ro’ which is needed for treating people with sickle cell.

Sickle cell is the fastest growing inherited blood disorder in the UK, with more than 19,000 people living with the condition and around 300 babies born with it each year. People of Black African and Black Caribbean heritage are 10 times more likely to have the Ro blood subtype, which is particularly important for treating people with sickle cell who require regular transfusions. Currently across the country, the NHS can only supply half of the Ro blood needed to treat those with sickle cell.

Sickle cell: A crisis can feel like “a nail being hammered into my bones”

Chances are you probably know someone who has the condition. We regularly highlight the condition, and encourage our community to give blood. People living with severe sickle cell can experience episodes of extreme pain and may require regular blood transfusions.

Brenda’s story

Illustrating how close proximity to a blood bank can inspire decades of giving is Brenda Smith.

For Smith, seeing a bloodmobile was all it took to start a blood donation journey that has now lasted more than 30 years. Brenda was 21 and working near London Bridge when she spotted an NHS bloodmobile parked. One day after work, she decided to avoid the crowds at the train station, walked onto the mobile and donated blood.

“I just happened to see the bloodmobile and thought, “why not?” I had no idea that one decision would lead to something I would continue doing for decades!”

“Donating blood has become part of who I am, I encourage anyone who is eligible to consider becoming a donor.”

That first spontaneous donation became the beginning of a lifelong commitment. Brenda has now made 56 blood donations, and estimates that her donations could have helped save or improve the lives of up to 168 patients.

“I’ve been a blood donor for over 30 years now, so it’s amazing to think how many patients my donations will have been able to help and save during that time. Donating blood has become part of who I am, I encourage anyone who is eligible to consider becoming a donor.”

Brenda hopes that the arrival of the bloodmobile in specific London communities will encourage more people, particularly younger generations, to take that first step.

“If you’re thinking about donating, just do it. It’s quick, it’s easy, and you walk away knowing you’ve helped someone in desperate need. That’s an incredible feeling.”

Henry’s story

For South-east Londoner, Henry, he was inspired to become a blood donor as it was a way of honouring his late brother and being able to help families through moments of crisis.

“Being the first Black heritage person and Ro donor to donate on the new bloodmobile is particularly meaningful to me. My own experience of losing my brother, Leonard, after he became seriously ill and needed blood, showed me just how important donors can be to families in their most difficult moments.  This thought is always with me when I’m booking my blood donation appointment.

“As a Black heritage donor, I know that my blood could help someone who needs a closely matched donation, particularly patients living with sickle cell. I hope sharing my story of my recent blood donation on the bloodmobile will encourage more people from our communities to step forward. You may never know whose family your blood donation will touch, but you’ll know you’ve done something that could save or improve someone’s life.”

Where should the bloodmobile go next?

NHSBT is also encouraging people to suggest relevant London locations for the bloodmobile to visit, to make it easier for more people of Black heritage to become blood donors. Typical requirements include parking space for bloodmobile (6-8 standard car parking bays), operating hours of 08:30-18:00 or 11:30-21:00 and access to toilet facilities. If you’d like to suggest a potential venue, email: venue.developmentteam@nhsbt.nhs.uk

To find where the bloodmobile’s next location or to review all appointments closest to you, please visit www.blood.co.uk