Richard Okorogheye’s mother joins call for black blood donors | sickle cell disease

[ad_1]

The mother of 19-year-old Richard Okorogi, who was found dead weeks after he was reported missing, is urging the black community to donate blood.

Evidence Joel has joined forces with black health organizations such as the African Caribbean Leukemia Trust (ACLT), and NHS Blood and Transplant, to launch a blood drive in memory of her son.

Okorogheye had sickle cell anemia, a disease more common among blacks, and had been self-isolating at home due to the coronavirus pandemic.

He was reported missing from his home in west London in March. Two weeks later his body was found 20 miles away in the Epping Forest.

“My son benefited from the blood exchange he was receiving before his sad death. It meant a lot to me and him. It gave him hope and made him stronger,” Joel said. “For what you did for my son, I wanted to make an impact to encourage people also from the black community to come out and donate.” And changing the lives of others, because my son’s life changed until the tragedy.”

She said that every time her son had a blood transfusion, “You could see a brighter future, and he had more enthusiasm and more involvement in more activities. For me as a parent, it was good to see him strong and healthy. With Richard, after he went through treatment, he wouldn’t You would never know he had sickle cell anemia.”

Black people are 10 times more likely to have the same rare blood subtype, but the lack of black donors makes it difficult to find the most suitable blood for black patients.

While there has been a 29% increase in the number of black donors, the NHS Blood and Transplant said it needs 16,000 new donors from black communities this year with demand for racially matched blood increasing by 50%.

Joel will join other mothers in the campaign, called Bonded by Blood: A Mother’s Story, to share stories through a short film about how donating blood has transformed the lives of individuals who receive or have previously had blood transfusions, to treat diseases such as sickle cell disease. Cell and other medical conditions and emergencies.

“Anything can happen there. So we all need it [blood] And we all benefit from it. So we’re calling on black communities to come out and sign up and help make a donation. Joel said.

The campaign will host special blood donation events over three consecutive weekends between 25 September and 10 October at venues in London, Bristol, Birmingham and Manchester.

“The number of black blood donors has increased in recent years but there is still a long way to go. By asking the black community to come forward and donate during World Sickle Cell Awareness Month or Black History Month, we hope that It contributes to much-needed blood stock now and in the years to come.”

Marsha Crossland, senior campaign leader for NHS Blood and Transplant, said: “We are proud and privileged to support this campaign in memory of Richard, but also a celebration of the extraordinary gift that blood donors give to those most in need of blood transfusions.

“Hearing the stories of mothers whose children have needed blood transfusions is humbling and inspiring, and we urge more people of black African, black Caribbean or mixed black background to come forward and donate blood.”

[ad_2]