World Book Day gift to Manchester primary school pupils aims to inspire a new generation of Black heritage blood donors

To mark World Book Day NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) is giving hundreds of primary school pupils across Manchester a free children's book to help inspire a new generation of Black heritage blood donors.

The cover of the book "My Blood, Your Blood" written by Laura Henry-Allain MBE with Angel Salami and illustrated by Zenovia Grant My Blood, Your Blood charts the experiences of Angel Salami and her dad Kehinde, who both live with sickle cell disease - the country's fastest-growing inherited blood disorder that predominantly affects people of Black Caribbean and Black African heritage.

Written from the perspective of Angel when she was 4 - the same age as the reception pupils in the 21 primary schools across Manchester who will receive the book - My Blood, Your Blood aims to demystify sickle cell disease for children, their classmates, teachers and guardians.

The book, which will also be available in public libraries across the city, also celebrates the Black heritage blood donors without whom children with the condition wouldn't be able to attend school, play with their friends, or live as normal a life as possible.

The blood of Black heritage Mancunians holds the key to treating sickle cell, as those with Black African or Black Caribbean heritage are 10 times more likely than the white population to have the specific Ro blood type used to treat the condition.

New NHSBT data released today highlights the shortfall that exists in Manchester between the demand for Ro blood and the amount that can be supplied.

Between January 2025 and January 2026 Manchester's hospitals requested 4,036 units of Ro blood to treat the city's sickle cell patients. However, only 74% (2,974 units) was available to treat patients.

With demand outstripping supply, Manchester's sickle cell patients either miss out on their full allocation of Ro blood transfusions or have the Ro blood they need substituted for less effective blood types.

Statements

Statement from Mark Chambers

NHSBT Director of Donor Experience Mark Chambers said:

"A single sickle cell patient may need up to 100 units of blood a year to manage the condition, so recruiting greater numbers of Black heritage donors from across Manchester is vital to meet the growing sickle cell need.

"My Blood, Your Blood is an uplifting story of the power of community, and the huge difference blood donation makes to people every day.

"Angel's story is representative of thousands of other people across the north west who live with sickle cell, and that’s why we urgently need more people of Black heritage to become blood donors.

"By normalising conversations around blood donation in the home and in communities, we want My Blood, Your Blood to inspire adults reading the book with their children to register to donate – as well as the next generation of donors."

Statement from Alex Puddick

Alex Puddick, a teacher at Manchester's Ashbury Meadow Community Primary School said:

"We're really pleased that our children will be receiving My Blood, Your Blood this World Book Day. It's such an important story, and one that helps our pupils understand empathy, kindness and how we can look after one another.

"As a school at the heart of our Manchester community, we know how important representation is for our families. This book gives us a chance to start meaningful conversations about sickle cell and blood donation at home, and we hope it encourages families to think about how they might help others in the future."

Statement from Laura Henry-Allain MBE

Author Laura Henry-Allain MBE said:

"13 years ago, I was fortunate to receive 10 units of blood provided by inspiring individuals who selflessly donated to help strangers like me. As a result, I am here today to write this inspirational and emotive book, My Blood, Your Blood.

"It was a pleasure to work with Angel, her family and NHS Blood and Transplant to raise awareness of sickle cell and blood donation across Manchester. As a writer, this has been one of the most special projects that I have been asked to work on."

Manchester joins Birmingham and London as one of only 3 cities in the country to receive the books.

More than 900 copies of My Blood, Your Blood are being sent to primary schools across Manchester.

Giving blood is quick and easy and only takes around an hour of your time. To become a blood donor, download the NHSBT app, visit our website or call 0300 123 23 23.