Group blood donation for Black heritage communities


Book as a group to help people living with sickle cell.

There's a growing and urgent need for donors with the Ro subtype, a rare blood type most commonly found in people of Black heritage. This blood is a lifeline for people with sickle cell, the UK’s fastest-growing genetic condition.

A single person with sickle cell may need blood from up to 100 donors every year just to stay healthy. Yet currently, only around 50% of transfusions for people with sickle cell are the best possible match.

By leading a group donation, your organisation can help provide the perfectly matched blood that transforms patients' lives.

Group of young donors of Black heritage stand outside London West End Blood Donor Centre

Why we are doing this

This service was created in direct response to feedback from our Black heritage partners, who highlighted the power of donating as a community. By coming together, it inspires more people to take part, normalises donation within networks, and helps build lasting habits.

Each donation is vital, but group bookings go further by creating collective impact and celebrating the strength of communities in saving lives.

Donate together

A group booking is a chance for your organisation to reserve slots to give blood together. Whether you're a Church, Mosque, faith or race staff network, African or Caribbean university society, or community group.

Whether it's friends, colleagues, or community members, it's about creating a shared experience that makes donating more welcoming, inspiring, and impactful. For first time donors, giving side by side helps ease nerves, boost confidence, and create a supportive environment that feels more like community than clinic.

Group bookings allow your group to donate within the same session, usually spread across a couple of hours so everyone can give in a way that's safe and comfortable.

For your organisation, it's an opportunity to lead a life-saving event that makes a tangible difference.

Group bookings can be arranged at a centre near you. We offer weekday, weekend and evening sessions- contact us to arrange the best time for you.

How to arrange your group booking

Booking for your organisation is a simple 2 step process:

1. Reserve your slots

Email us at groupbookingsdonorcentres@nhsbt.nhs.uk with the following information:

  • Your organisation's name
  • Your preferred donor centre, month, and preferred date (please see our scheduling note below regarding donation weeks)
  • An estimated number of people in your group (usually between 15-40)

2. Get your group ready to donate

Once your booking is confirmed, we’ll send you a private booking page for your group. Share it with your members so they can book their appointments.

Our team will support you to make sure everything runs smoothly.

We look forward to welcoming your group and saving lives together.