A life revitalised

Abiola has been grappling with sickle cell disorder all his life. At five years old, the condition left him with a ruptured vein in his eye. He was forced to abandon his childhood dream of becoming a pilot due to doctor’s orders. He missed crucial moments with his newborn child.

Life has, undeniably, been tough.

Sickle cell disorder is a life-threatening genetic condition that affects around 13,000 people in the UK. It is the fastest growing inherited blood disorder in the UK and causes red blood cells to become sickle-shaped, meaning they can stick together and block blood vessels.

These blockages lead to episodes of extreme pain, known as crises. Sickle cell crises can cause strokes, organ damage, and other complications. For five-year-old Abiola, it led to a ruptured eye vein.

As he grew older, he experienced crises more often. More and more concern started showing on the face of his father, a doctor. The condition limited his activities, prohibited any adventurous pursuits, and ended his dreams of becoming a pilot.

In response, Abiola participated in various drug trials, hoping one might help. None did. The hospitalisations continued. His son was born and they spent time apart, with Abiola still frequently needing treatment.

Then, in 2020, Abiola started receiving red blood cell exchanges. Red blood cell exchanges replace a patient’s red blood cells with blood from donors. Since joining the program, Abiola has not been hospitalised and is now able to work, travel, and, most importantly, cherish quality moments with his family.

In order to stay well, he needs to be given a red blood cell exchange every six weeks and will receive between 9 and 11 units of blood each time.

This means he is supported by roughly 85 donors a year. This may sound like a lot, but is in fact less than the average of 100. Every day, around 250 blood donations are needed to help people affected by sickle cell.

It’s important for patients like these who receive multiple transfusions to be given closely matched blood to avoid medical complications. However, with demand high, the best possible match for patients with sickle cell is only found roughly half the time.

One such match clinicians look for is the life-saving Ro subtype. Because the Ro subtype is relatively common in people of Black heritage, who sickle cell also predominantly affects, it is crucial in treating people like Abiola.

Ro subtype blood is in high demand. We need Ro donors of all ethnicities to give blood.

Abiola can, at least, be safe in the knowledge that his wife contributes to the cause – she is an Ro subtype donor herself and the pair refer to her donations as replenishing some of the blood he receives.

If you, like Abiola’s wife, have the Ro subtype, please book an appointment to give blood today.