‘Inspiring’ blood donation levels at new Brixton centre saving thousands of lives

28 March 2025 Yann Tear

South London blood donors have saved more than 11,000 lives in the three months since Brixton’s new blood donor centre opened to the public, data from NHS Blood and Transplant reveals.

Between December last year and this February, 3,773 people donated at the Brixton centre, in Brixton Road, providing more than 3,000 units of blood. Each unit can save up to three lives.

More than 1,000 first-time donors chose to give blood in Brixton, providing vital additional units of blood to the country’s hospitals and emergency services, including air ambulances, firefighters and paramedics.

Inspiring a new generation of young donors and increasing the number of black heritage donors from Lambeth’s diverse population are key aims of the centre, and the Brixton community that helped design it.

Initial data suggests the centre is already making a significant impact by boosting the numbers of young and black heritage donors giving blood.

Estimates suggest that over the period analysed, one in every 10 donations to the Brixton centre was from a black donor – more than three times the national average of 3 per cent.

The positive trend continued when analysing the ethnic make-up of Brixton’s first-time donors. Just under one-in-five (15 per cent) of the new wave of donors were black.

Donors from African and Caribbean backgrounds are significantly more likely to have the specific ‘Ro’ blood type used to treat sickle cell – the UK’s fastest growing genetic disorder that disproportionately affects the black community.

NHS Blood and Transplant director of donor experience, Mark Chambers, said: “South Londoners should be immensely proud of the massive difference their generosity has made to the lives of tens-of-thousands of people, in the short time the Brixton centre has been open.

“It’s still early days, but to see thousands signing up to give blood, many for the first time, is truly inspiring and suggests that the innovative centre is connecting with the local population.”

Local Ro blood donor Sarah Eve Tucker said: “If I ever needed blood I would want it to be there, so I should be willing to donate too. Knowing I have the Ro blood type make me even more passionate about donating, as I know the difference it can make.”

Brixton donor centre manger Rexford Osei-Bonsu said: “We have the capacity to deliver more than 1,000 appointments a week and are happy to work round your availability, whether that’s on your way to work, during your lunch break or as you head home.

“Giving blood is quick and painless. The entire appointment takes no longer than an hour and in most case is much quicker. The actual time spent in the donation chair can be around 15 minutes.”

Picture: Pixabay