Campaigners are once again looking to highlight the importance new black donors can make to those living with sickle cell.
Last year, Sickle Cell Suffolk were given a community grant to help them raise awareness of the condition and attract more donors.
Their goal was to attract 100 donors from Suffolk over 12 months – but they were thrilled to recruit 190.
The group continue their work to help more people gain an understanding of the condition.
People with sickle cell produce unusually shaped red blood cells. This causes problems, as these cells do not live as long as healthy blood cells and can block blood vessels.
The symptoms of the condition include painful episodes called crises, which can be very severe and last for days or weeks.
According to Elaine Tappin, who herself has the condition, a sickle cell crisis is more painful even than childbirth.
Regular blood transfusions are used to treat symptoms, should they become severe.
However, there is still widespread misunderstanding of the condition – to the point that during a recent appointment with a haematology nurse, Ms Tappin was asked how long she had lived with sickle cell. The condition is genetic.
Sickle cell predominantly affects people from Black heritage.
This means there is a need for Black blood donors to come forward, since they more commonly carry the Ro blood subtype which is used to treat sickle cell.
“In 2021, I needed an emergency blood transfusion which saved my life,” explained Ms Tappin, from Sickle Cell Suffolk.
Blood is always matched as closely as possible, with donors given blood which best fits their blood type. Ideally, the subtype, which includes ethnicity, is also matched.
However, because this was an life-threatening situation and Ms Tappin needed a blood transfusion urgently, the sub type of the blood used could not be matched as close
Her life was saved, but because of this, she developed several antibodies.
This means that now, Ms Tappin is limited regarding the type of blood she can receive in future, as the blood cannot contain any of these specific antibodies.
This is why it is vital for blood donors of Black heritage to come forward.
“It helps to give the sickle cell person their life back,” said Ms Tappin. “It isn’t a cure, but it gives them some constancy until their next transfusion.”
Funding has been awarded to Sickle Cell Suffolk again this year, and Ms Tappin said they have several events happening in September, which will be an opportunity to learn more and hear stories of people living with the condition.
There will be a ‘Together’ event with music on Friday, September 13, at Inspire in Lindbergh Road.
There will also be a blood donation session on Thursday, September 26 at Trinity Park in Felixstowe Road.
September marks Sickle Cell Awareness Month. For more information, visit: www.sicklecellsuffolk.org
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