A plaque commemorating Professor Dame Elizabeth Anionwu, the NHS’s pioneering sickle cell specialist nurse counsellor, has been unveiled at an NHS blood donation center located in south London.
Dame Elizabeth officially inaugurated the Brixton Blood Donor Centre on Wednesday.
According to NHS Blood and Transplant, sickle cell disease—a serious condition that primarily impacts the black population—is recognized as the fastest growing genetic disorder in the UK.
“We continue to depend on the kindness of blood donors from the Black community to make a crucial impact on lives,” Dame Elizabeth stated.
“When I took on the role of the nation’s first specialist sickle cell nurse counsellor in the 1970s, awareness and understanding of the disease were quite limited.
“Nevertheless, we knew that the selflessness of blood donors, particularly from the black community, was essential in easing the suffering of those affected.
“I encourage everyone in south London to schedule an appointment at this remarkable new center to donate blood and help save lives.”
Marsha Howe, who lives with sickle cell disease, tragically lost her younger sister to the condition last year at the age of 37. She was present at the plaque unveiling on Wednesday.
Ms. Howe remarked, “Sickle cell disease has had a profound impact on my family and me.
“Each day is different, and I undergo a blood exchange every seven weeks at Guy’s and St Thomas’, where I have seven pints of blood drawn and replaced with non-sickle cell blood.”
Rexford Osei-Bonsu, the manager of the Brixton blood donor center, expressed his satisfaction upon the opening of the facility, noting that it was a long-awaited moment.
“We need more individuals from black backgrounds, including those of Caribbean and African descent, to come forward to donate,” he emphasized.
The center was established in partnership with community leaders, local businesses, and residents to inspire more individuals from black Caribbean and African heritages to participate in donating blood.
Black communities are notably more likely to possess the specific ‘Ro’ blood type that is vital for treating sickle cell disease.
Over half of blood donors of black heritage have the Ro blood type, compared to just 2.4% of donors from different ethnic backgrounds.
The center aims to welcome over 1,000 donors each week.
