London’s Caribbean street food king creates ‘food for thought’ to help recruit blood donors and save lives

London's Caribbean street food king creates 'food for thought' initiative

As part of National Blood Week (9 to 15 June), Caribbean Street food company Port Royal Patties has joined forces with the NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) to deploy 180,000 Jamaican patties with a lifesaving message across the capital.

The 'food for thought' initiative is designed to encourage more Londoners, especially those of Black Caribbean and Black African heritage, to give blood.

Wembley-based Port Royal's patties will carry NHSBT's 'Blood Saves Lives' message and a unique QR code on the wrappers of its street food staple.

The special QR code takes diners to a blood donation registration page, to make it as easy as possible to sign up to give blood at a time when the nation’s blood stocks are low.

The NHS particularly needs more donors of Black heritage to meet the growing need for blood to treat sickle cell – the country's fastest growing inherited blood disorder that disproportionately affects Black communities.

Black heritage donors are 10 times more likely than the white population to have the specific Ro blood type used to treat sickle cell patients. London hospitals are the country's biggest users of Ro blood, to treat the growing number of sickle cell patients in the capital.

Around 1,300 Black heritage donors a month are needed to give blood to provide life-saving transfusions to sickle cell patients, as well as for use in emergencies, childbirth, during surgery, in cancer treatments and for use in other medical conditions.

NHSBT data shows that nearly half of all the country's 20,000 Black heritage donors donate in London (8,757). The numbers donating in the capital are at a 10 year high, with the number having increased every month since June 2024.

But despite the positive trend, to meet the increasing sickle cell need, NHSBT must recruit 16,000 additional Black heritage donors across the country this year.

Statements

NHSBT assistant director Iroro Agba said:

"We don't have enough donors with the Ro blood type to meet the needs of the growing numbers of sickle cell patients in London and across the country.

"London's Black heritage communities have risen to the challenge and are donating in record numbers, but as demand increases, so too does the need to recruit more donors.

"We're constantly developing partnerships with community groups and businesses, such as Port Royal Patties, to find ever more innovative ways to get the message out that registering to give blood is quick and easy and saves lives.

"My message to London's Black heritage communities is that if you have the Ro blood type, it's likely your siblings, children or parents do too. So please bring a relative or even a friend to donate with you.

"To those who haven't yet donated, there are 6 blood donor centres across London, so register now to give blood – it's quick and easy and takes about an hour to make a lifesaving difference. Call 0300 123 23 23 or visit www.blood.co.uk to make an appointment."

Sickle cell patient Jeannine Joseph (28) from Catford, who was diagnosed before birth, owes her life to the generosity of Black heritage blood donors. She said:

"I'm on a regular blood transfusion programme, meaning I receive 8 units of blood every 5 and a half weeks.

"In May I was hospitalised for almost 3 weeks. My doctors struggled to get my crisis under control with pain medications. It wasn't until I received a blood transfusion that I instantly felt better and was able to go home.

"If regular blood transfusions weren't an option for people with sickle cell, our lives would be unbearable."

Port Royal Patties MD Edward Johnston said:

"We are a London company with Jamaican heritage that feels it is vital we support initiatives that help the community thrive and grow.

"A few years ago, I came across an NHSBT Blood drive and learned about the urgent need for Black heritage donors and I was so moved I signed up to give blood.

"That day I was educated about the importance of our people giving blood and decided that Port Royal Patties would do everything to help the cause.

"I'm proud that we are a part of the drive to encourage more Black people to give blood. I encourage other businesses in London and across the country to do all they can to support NHSBT with their lifesaving work."

How you can help

Register now and book an appointment online, on the GiveBloodNHS app or by calling 0300 123 23 23.