Church leaders have delivered an Easter message to highlight the urgent need for organ and blood donors of black heritage.
The best chance for patients needing a lifesaving organ donation or blood transfusions comes from donors from the same ethnic background.
The shortage of African, Caribbean or mixed ethnicity donors means patients of these ethnicities are waiting longer and some die before they get one.
There are currently 607 patients of black ethnicity waiting for a transplant.
Sickle cell is a blood disorder more common in African or Caribbean people which requires regular blood transfusions to help treat and prevent painful symptoms.
Faith leaders from 30 Black Christian organisations are joining with NHS Blood and Transplant to support the 2022 Give Hope This Easter campaign.
Bishop Mark Nicholson, from ACTS Christian Ministries, has been giving blood since the 1980s.
It was only after a recent donation that he realised he had the rare yet highly in demand Ro blood type that is most often needed by people with sickle cell disease. Bishop Nicholson said: “It was an amazing feeling to know I had this important blood sub-type Ro.
“I connected it to my spirituality to know that I can do this one simple thing to save lives in the Black African and Caribbean community was incredible.”
The Mirror has launched a campaign to recruit the 75,000 regular blood donors the NHS needs to recover from the pandemic. Donors of black ethnicity are 10 times more likely to have the sub-type Ro that is needed to treat many sickle cell patients.
Health Secretary Sajid Javid said: “We need all communities to work together to save and transform the lives of thousands.”
The NHS needs 450 new blood donors every day to ensure a steady supply and meet the needs of patients all year around.
In some areas of the country there are limited appointments for first time donors, so donors are advised to search a few weeks or months ahead for a slot if necessary.
To become a Daily Mirror Blood Hero please visit www.blood.co.uk or call 0300 123 23 23 to register.
