Professor Dame Elizabeth Anionwu, the UK’s first specialist sickle cell nurse counsellor, has been commemorated with a plaque at the newly opened Brixton Blood Donor Centre in south London.
The center, which Dame Elizabeth officially opened on Wednesday, Jan 22, 2025, was developed to address the critical need for blood donors from Black communities.
Sickle cell disease, a genetic disorder that disproportionately affects Black individuals, remains the UK’s fastest-growing genetic condition, according to NHS Blood and Transplant.
Reflecting on her groundbreaking work in the 1970s, Dame Elizabeth said:
“The generosity of blood donors, especially from the Black community, is key to alleviating the pain of patients. I urge everyone in south London to make an appointment to give blood and save lives.”
Marsha Howe, a sickle cell patient who attended the event, shared her experience with the disease, which requires her to undergo regular blood exchanges.
“Sickle cell disease has affected me and my family drastically,” she said, noting the importance of accessible blood donations.
Rexford Osei-Bonsu, manager of the Brixton center, highlighted the collaboration with local leaders to increase donations.
“We need more Black people and those from Black Caribbean and African communities to donate,” he stated, noting that over half of Black donors have the specific Ro blood type crucial for sickle cell treatments.
The center aims to welcome over 1,000 donors weekly, providing life-saving resources for those in need.
