Black In Blood

Every few seconds, someone in the UK needs a blood transfusion. The NHS requires approximately three donations every minute to meet this demand. 

Within this, there exists an even more urgent need: A need for Black blood donors. 

Recent NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) data revealed that while Black people make up around 3% of the UK population, they represent less than 1% of active blood donors. This disparity has real consequences. 

Sickle cell disease, which disproportionately affects people of African and Caribbean heritage, often requires regular blood transfusions — sometimes every few weeks. For these patients, the best matches typically come from donors of the same ethnic background.

One blood subtype, RO, is more commonly found in people of African or Caribbean descent. It's also the most needed for sickle cell patients. As someone with the RO blood group myself, I was stunned to learn how rare yet vital my blood type is. As soon as I found out, routine donations became a responsibility. 

So, why are people from Black communities so unlikely to donate? The discrepancy in donations is largely attributed to ineligibility, fear, and distrust, as well as ineffective marketing and education strategies.  

Blood itself was once subject to segregation. In 1941, Sylvia Tucker, a black mother, tried to donate blood to support the efforts of the American Red Cross Blood Donor Service during World War II. Upon her arrival at the donation centre, she was turned away. The supervisor informed her that “the National Offices have barred Negro blood donors at this time.”

Such restrictions have lasting, damaging consequences across generations - even across nations. 

In June 2024, new eligibility rules came into force to allow more homosexual and bisexual men to donate blood in the United Kingdom. However, the government chose to maintain a mandate that explicitly affects black communities’ eligibility for donation.  

There is a three-month deferral period for anyone who has a ‘partner who has, or you think may have been, sexually active in parts of the world where HIV/AIDS is very common’ and references ‘most countries in Africa’. The question poses a significant barrier for many who wish to donate blood, simultaneously contradicting the NHS’ efforts to increase Black blood donations. 

Ian Green, former CEO of the Terrence Higgins Trust, commented on this decision.  

“The question is not evidence-based. It is non-specific, vague, and difficult for both healthcare professionals and individuals to interpret,” he said. “The question both prevents and deters people from donating, especially those from black and specifically black African communities.”

The disparity perpetuates history, but is also a governmental issue. How can we convince our community, once again, that their blood matters? 

Black blood matters 

Georgelene Elliott is the founder of Black Blood Matters, an organisation “on a mission to make blood donation a norm in the Black community.”

Elliott sat down with The Science Gap to discuss Black Blood Matters’ work and common misconceptions preventing more Black individuals from donating blood. 

“At the heart of BBM is a simple goal: to create a lasting legacy where more Black people donate regularly, ensuring that lifesaving blood is always available for those who need it most,” Elliott told us. 

“We do this through bold online campaigns, in-person events, and strategic collaborations that make donating blood feel relevant, accessible, and, most importantly, urgent. Over the past five years, we’ve reached over 250,000 people online, hosted 15+ in-person events - including group blood drives, panel discussions, and awareness sessions - and helped register hundreds of new Black blood donors.” 

Through the work of BBM, Elliott has shown that raising awareness can make all the difference.  

“For many, the biggest barrier is simply a lack of awareness. If people don’t know there’s a shortage of Black donors, or don’t understand how easy the process is, they’re unlikely to consider donating. Community engagement, education, and clear information about the need for Black donors can make a huge difference in encouraging more people to step forward,” she said. 

Preconceived ideas of blood donations and transfusions are inadvertently harming the Black community. Elliott went on to highlight some of the misconceptions that prevent many from donating. 

“One of the biggest barriers is that blood donation is not widely seen as part of Black culture,” she told The Science Gap. 

“In the African and Caribbean context, blood is often linked to death or black magic, which can create hesitation around donating. But the reality is that blood transfusions save lives every single day. Changing this perception requires shifting the focus toward the life-saving impact of donations and amplifying the voices of those who have benefited from them.”

Community ties

Geraldine Parker, National Parnterships Manager at NHSBT, told The Science Gap how collaborating with community groups, like Black Blood Matters, is key.

“Community organisations can help tailor messaging that resonates with Black communities by addressing specific health concerns, such as the need for Black Heritage blood donors to help patients with sickle cell disease,” she said. “These partnerships can amplify outreach efforts through local events, social media, and word-of-mouth, reaching individuals who may not otherwise be aware of or engaged in blood donation opportunities.”

Nowhere is this better exemplified than at the newly established Brixton Blood Donation Centre.

Located at 444 Brixton Road, the centre stands as a symbol of what community-centred healthcare can look like. Just minutes from Brixton Underground Station, the centre is intentionally embedded within one of London’s most diverse neighbourhoods.

Inside, visitors are met with bespoke artwork curated by Akanji Studio, highlighting Black British identity and the power of giving. A “hero wall” displays stories of local black donors and recipients, humanising the donation process and celebrating community heroes.

As Parker puts it, “Long-term commitment to community engagement, rather than one-time events, builds credibility. Continued presence and partnership show that NHSBT values the community’s well-being beyond the immediate need for blood donations.”

In order to close the donation gap, the NHS must do more than call for more blood — it must cultivate trust, correct misinformation, and celebrate Black identity in healthcare spaces. Only then can we begin to repair the legacies of mistrust and save more lives in the process.

Because Black blood doesn’t just matter. It saves lives.

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By Nnenna Ohaka

Follow Black Blood Matters: https://www.instagram.com/blackbloodmattersuk/

Find your nearest blood donation centre: https://bit.ly/43NZdKf

Featured artwork by Richard Akanji Amole: https://akanji.studio/