North Mid doctor and patient in TV call for more Black blood donors
This is Suki, and Suki's mum Layla.
Suki has sickle cell disorder and receives regular blood transfusions at North Mid as part of her ongoing care.
Every month, Suki comes to our paediatric day unit and undergoes a transfusion, with support from mummy and our children's team.
We joined forces with NHS Blood and Transplant, and the Sickle Cell Society - where Layla also works - to explain to TV's Ayo Akinwolere why the treatment of Suki and 270 other children at North Mid for sickle cell is so reliant on blood donation.
With expert explanation by Dr Rosalind Mensah, consultant paediatrician with a special interest in sickle cell, BBC One's The One Show highlights how sickle cell disorder affects patients, why it can be so serious, and how blood transfusions are part of the treatment Suki needs to manage her health.
Layla described what happens when Suki experiences a sickle cell crisis:
"If she's going through crisis, she'll be very lethargic, she's probably in pain or discomfort. And then after the transfusion, she'll run around and play, and she's just back to being a one-year-old again - it's that instant."
Blood transfusions need blood donors!
The blood Suki needs each month needs to be carefully matched to her own, and is most likely to come from a donor of the same ethnic background.
Because sickle cell predominantly affects people with Black African and Caribbean heritage, it's vital that Black blood donors know how they can help children like Suki by donating blood.
Dr Mensah said: It's very important that Black people donate blood.
Visit www.blood.co.uk to find out more.