The important role that blood donations play in our society have been well documented. So why do so few people from BAME backgrounds donate blood, and why should we encourage a change in this pattern?
In the UK, just shy of a million people donate blood every year. The blood that is donated can be used as a lifeline in emergency situations, or to help people who need long-term treatments such as blood transfusions.
However, it’s been noted that the number of people from BAME backgrounds who donate blood is disproportionally low. While on the surface that might not appear to present an immediate issue, there are a number of reasons why we need to encourage more people from BAME backgrounds to donate blood moving forwards.
From reducing delays in medical treatment, to setting the right example for future generations, this post will take a closer look at the reasons to suggest why people from BAME backgrounds should donate blood.
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7 Reasons Why People from BAME Backgrounds Should Donate Blood
1. People from BAME Communities Are More Likely to Develop Related Conditions
Research has indicated that people from BAME communities are more likely to suffer from heart and circulatory diseases. These includes a higher risk of developing high blood pressure, an increased risk of strokes, diabetes and certain forms of hepatitis.
There’s no definitive reason to explain why this is the case, though it’s likely due to a combination of genetics and lifestyle choices.
This presents an issue as, to get the best possible treatment, patients require blood that is closely matched to their own. That is most likely to come from a donor from the same ethnicity.
If an increased number of BAME people are suffering from these sorts of conditions, and there aren’t enough donors to support them, there’s a strong chance that there won’t be enough blood to go around.
2. Black Blood Donors Are More Likely to Have RO and B Positive Blood Types
Black blood donors are ten times more likely to have the Ro and B positive blood types. These blood types are incredibly important, as they are urgently needed to treat rare diseases such as Sickle Cell and thalassaemia.
15,000 people in the UK suffer from sickle cell disease. Sickle cell disease is a painful and debilitating condition which is particularly prevalent in people from an African or Caribbean descent.
Thalassaemia is the name for a group of inherited conditions that affect a substance in the blood called haemoglobin. Anyone who suffers from thalassaemia produces little to no haemoglobin, which can make someone anaemic. People from BAME backgrounds are disproportionately affected by thalassaemia, emphasising the need for more people to donate blood.
3. The Best Blood Matches Come from the Same Ethnic Background
As we’ve already touched on, when it comes to blood transfusions, the most suitable blood will come from someone from the same ethnic background.
The major blood groupings that everybody falls into are all determined by various factors, namely genes and antigens. The International Society of Blood Transfusion lists 360 known antigens, by the combinations are infinitely more.
Successful blood transfusions rely on similar combinations of antigens. If blood that is being transferred has an antigen that the body lacks, there is the potential for a reaction. This can be fatal in extremely rare circumstances.
4. Fewer than 5% of Donors Come from BAME Backgrounds
The simple fact of the matter is that the number of BAME blood donors in the UK is currently too low. Fewer than 5 percent of blood donors in the UK come from BAME communities, in spite of the fact 14 percent of the population are comprised of these same communities.
This means that there is a serious imbalance with regards to the amount of blood which is being donated and the number of potential patients that require it for various courses of treatment.
5. The Need to Set the Best Example for the Next Generation
In 2018, a review into BAME blood, stem cell and organ donation, overseen by a group of ministers, highlighted that there were a number of reasons for the ‘donation crisis’. This included a general lack of awareness, mistrust of medical institutions and perceived or assumed religious barriers.
This goes to show how important it is to make changes now so that future generations can have an example to follow as they grow up. An increase in the number of donations now will help to bust some of those myths and encourage young people to understand the importance of it as they grow older.
6. Giving Blood is Less Dramatic Than It Sounds
There’s no getting around the fact that giving blood isn’t exactly a pleasant experience. However, it’s much less dramatic and far safer than it many people initially assume. This means that there is no real reason for someone who is fit and healthy not to become a donor, especially if they come from a BAME background.
And the more regularly someone donates, the easier each trip becomes!
7. You Can Make a Tangible Contribution
Sometimes, making donations or contributions to charity can be difficult. You don’t always know exactly where your money is going or what sort of impact it’s going to have, both in the short-term and long-term.
However, as we’ve discussed, all blood donations are directly used, either for emergency situations, or to support people with long-term conditions. So, if you make a blood donation, especially as someone from a BAME background, you know that you will be making a tangible difference to someone’s life.
Image | Sabinurce via Pixabay
Do You Have Any Question About BAME Blood Donations?
In this post, we’ve discussed all of the reasons why it’s important for people from BAME backgrounds to donate blood. The NHS Blood and Transfusion charity claim that they need 40,000 more black donors to meet the growing demand for better-matched blood in the UK, which goes to show how much change is needed!
Please be advised that this article is for general informational purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for advice from a trained medical professional. Be sure to consult a medical professional or healthcare provider if you’re seeking medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment. We are not liable for risks or issues associated with using or acting upon the information on this site.