It was great to join Bus Aunty, Florence Eshalomi MP, Simply Sayo and London Deputy Mayor Communities and Social Justice, Debbie Weekes-Bernard to raise awareness of the urgent need for more blood donors, particularly from within the Black community. We boarded the bus and travelled together to Brixton Blood Donation Centre to encourage more people to come forwards and donate.

The NHS needs 12,000 new Black donors a year just to meet demand from Sickle Cell patients. With 250 new diagnoses a year, Sickle Cell is the UK’s fastest growing genetic condition. A single patient may require blood from 100+ donors every year to stay well and manage symptoms.

Cold weather, seasonal illness and the festive season all mean that people are less likely to donate blood at this time of year. It is vital that more of us come forwards to donate. If you haven’t already, please make a point of making an appointment this winter.