NHS launches 'bloodmobile' to reach more donors

A new mobile blood donor centre has been launched in London in the hope of meeting the demand for donors with black heritage for sickle cell patients.

Londoner Brenda Smith said she began donating blood more than 30 years ago when, aged 21, she saw a so-called bloodmobile near her office in London Bridge.

"I thought,'why not?' I had no idea that one decision would lead to something I would continue doing for decades."

Mark Chambers, director of donor experience at NHS Blood and Transport (NHSBT), said the bloodmobile aimed to make the process "as easy as possible".

The bloodmobile was officially launched on Thursday at the Emirates Stadium, but has already visited some London locations, NHSBT said.

Over 12 months, it will visit areas including Greenwich, Bromley, Lewisham, Lambeth, Richmond, Wandsworth, Hounslow, Ealing, Wembley, Harrow, Enfield, Walthamstow, Hackney and Barking.

Smith said she hoped more people from black communities would donate using the mobile centre.

"It's quick, it's easy, and you walk away knowing you've helped someone in desperate need. That's an incredible feeling," she said.

More than half of black heritage blood donors have the Ro blood sub-type, which is needed by people with sickle cell disease who require regular blood transfusions.

Sickle cell is the fastest growing inherited blood disorder in the UK, with more than 19,000 people living with the condition. It estimated that more than half of these patients will live and receive treatment within the London area.

The organisation said it could only supply half of the blood needed to treat sickle cell patients in England and needed 16,000 more black heritage blood donors to donate regularly.

Smith has made 56 blood donations so far, and estimated that this could have helped save or improve the lives of up to 168 patients.

"Donating blood has become part of who I am," she said.

South-east Londoner Henry was the first black heritage Ro blood donor to use the new bloodmobile.

He said it was a way of honouring his late brother.

"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."

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