Give Blood England and Wales

What is sickle cell and why is it important?

Normal red cells are round and shaped like a doughnut. They contain a protein called haemoglobin, which gives the cells their typical colour and is responsible for transporting oxygen. There are many different haemoglobins and the type we have is determined by inheritance from our parents.

Sickle Cell Trait People who inherit sickle haemoglobin from one parent are described as having Sickle Cell Trait. Although their red cells contain some sickle haemoglobin, as well as normal haemoglobin, they do not have any health problems as a result.

The only significant consequence may be to their children. If both parents have the Sickle Cell Trait, there is a one in four chance of their child having Sickle Cell Anaemia. If only one parent is affected, this cannot happen.

Sickle Cell Anaemia is a serious condition with severe chronic anaemia and susceptibility to infection. In these people the large amount of sickle haemoglobin causes the red cells to become rigid and misshapen. . These cells tend to obstruct the smaller blood vessels cutting off the blood supply to the tissues and leading to painful 'crises' in the bones and various organs. It is usually first diagnosed in childhood and frequent treatment is often required, including blood transfusions.

Who is affected?

Sickle Cell conditions mainly affect people of African and African-Caribbean descent, but are also found in those from India and the Middle East, as well as Europeans of Mediterranean origin.

In this country, over 300,000 people have Sickle Cell Trait and approximately 12,000 have Sickle Cell Anaemia.

Why do we need to test for sickle cell?

To increase the safety of blood donations for patients, each pack of blood is now run through a filter to remove the white cells. Blood from some sickle cell donors does not filter properly and, if this happens, the donation cannot then be used for transfusion to patients. We therefore need to identify donations from sickle cell donors so that we can do an extra check to make sure the filtering process has been successful.

Donors selected for sickle cell testing are also tested for the blood groups which are more commonly found in people of the same ethnic origins. Their donations are essential to help us provide compatible blood for patients with these rarer blood types.

For these reasons it is very helpful to identify donors who may carry sickle cell, so that their blood can be tested, processed and used appropriately.

What happens if the test shows sickle cell?

We will write to let you know, and we will also advise that your general practitioner is informed, so that your medical records are up to date. Apart from that, you will not need to do anything else.

You will certainly be eligible to continue donating, and your blood will be very valuable to us.

If you have any further queries, please call our help line on 0300 123 23 23 (Monday to Friday 9.00 am. - 5.00 pm) and state that you have a 'Sickle' query.

Please read this leaflet for information about Sickle Cell and Blood Donation, how it is caused, what happens to you and what to do about it. Please remember Sickle Cell Trait does not prevent you from giving blood.

Blood Donors Saved Our Lives

Diane has Sickle Cell Anaemia, and during her pregnancy needed regular transfusions to help save her life, and allow her the chance to give new life to baby Chi. "My daughter and I owe our lives to blood donors. I would urge everybody who can give blood to do so."

If you need any more information or advice after reading this, ring our donor helpline on 0300 123 23 23. Our donor helpline is open for general enquiries 24 hours a day, every day of the year. If you have a non-urgent medical enquiry, please try to contact us between 9.00am and 5.00pm Monday to Friday.

Sickle Cell and Blood Donation (PDF, 179K)