The Independent is backing a plea for more blood donors who may be able to help sickle cell patients to come forward.
The NHS Blood and Transplant authority is launching a new campaign highlighting how doctors have less than half the amount each month of the type of blood needed to treat people with the disease in England.
Sickle cell disease is an inherited long-term and potentially life-threatening condition that is more common among Black people. It affects about 15,000 people in England.
It causes debilitating pain and problems such as severe infections, strokes, chronic fatigue, delayed growth and progressive tissue and organ damage.
Patients often require frequent and sometimes lifelong blood transfusions, usually with the Ro subtype blood.
Around 7,400 units of Ro blood are needed each month to meet hospital demand, but NHS Blood and Transplant can supply only 3,600 units.
The shortfall has to be made up with O negative and B negative blood, but patients may develop antibodies against those blood groups, causing unwanted reactions.
So the NHS is appealing for more donors with O negative, B negative and Ro blood to donate regularly.
New donors, especially those of Black African heritage, are particularly urged to come forward because more than half will have the Ro subtype, against just 2 per cent of the wider population.
The Independent and other brands, including English Heritage, have donated their iconic logos for use in the campaign. The red from the logos has been drained away to create a visual reminder of blood shortages, which will appear on outdoor advertising sites.
Geordie Greig, Editor-in-Chief of The Independent, said: “We are delighted to support this important campaign. The Independent’s readers have always shown tremendous generosity when people need help most, and we know many will want to respond to this urgent call.
“Blood donation saves lives, and by helping shine a light on the challenges facing patients with sickle cell, we hope to encourage everyone who can donate to come forward and do so.
“Supporting vital causes and ensuring crucial stories are heard is at the heart of what The Independent stands for.”
Mark Chambers, of NHS Blood and Transplant, said: “Boosting stocks of Ro, O negative and B negative blood is vital to saving and improving thousands of lives.”
He said the shortage of Ro blood not only affected patients needing regular transfusions, but also placed extra pressure on stocks of other vital blood types.
In 2023 several influential Black people, including John Lewis chair Dame Sharon White, joined efforts to raise awareness of Ro blood shortages.
