Content creator Adesayo Talabi, also known as Simply Sayo, is calling on more young people, particularly those from Black heritage communities, to roll up their sleeves and donate blood as she hosts a special blood donation drive at London Westfield Shepherd’s Bush Donor Centre (13 June) during National Blood Week (8 to 14 June).

The influencer, poet and creator is inviting her followers to join her in giving blood and supporting her ‘It Takes a Village’ campaign which aims to inspire young people and those from the Black heritage community to become blood donors and help those living with sickle cell disorder.

Simply Sayo’s story

For Sayo, the campaign is personal; she tragically lost 2 younger sisters to complications linked to sickle cell, while her sister Rebecca (aged 16) is currently recovering after receiving a stem cell transplant that has given hope of a future free from the condition.

Simply Sayo’s ‘It Takes a Village’ special donor drive is an extension of the campaign which initially launched in September, continuing to encourage more young people and people of Black heritage to become regular blood donors and help ensure sickle cell patients who rely on regular transfusions can receive the blood they need.

Simply Sayo said:

“My family has experienced the heartbreak that comes with sickle cell. We lost my sisters, and now we’re supporting Rebecca through her recovery after a stem cell transplant. Those experiences are why I’m so passionate about encouraging more people to donate blood.

“People often think blood donation is something someone else will do. But if more of us stepped forward, especially young people and people of Black heritage, we could make a huge difference.

“As a Nigerian, I grew up hearing the African proverb “it takes a village” which means when someone in our community needs support, everyone steps in. That’s the thinking behind the campaign. Whether it’s donating blood, encouraging a friend to register or sharing information on social media, we can all do something to help.”

Following the huge community response at Brixton Donor Centre, where thousands of young Londoners helped save or improve over 50,000 lives in its first year, Simply Sayo is encouraging her followers to carry that same energy by attending the blood drives linked to her campaign or booking an appointment at their nearest blood donation centre.

Simply Sayo said:

“If you’re based in London and have been thinking about donating blood, come along on Saturday by booking via the link! I’d love for as many people as possible to join me at the London Westfield Shepherd’s Bush Donor Centre and be part of something that can genuinely save lives.”

Antonia Butler, Donor Centre Manager, Westfield’s Shepherd’s Bush for NHS Blood and Transplant said:

“We are incredibly grateful to Sayo for continuing to use her platform to help shine a light on this urgent issue.

“Campaign’s like ‘It Takes a Village’ are vital because they help us reach new audiences and inspire people to take action. We urgently need more younger donors, particularly from Black communities, to come forward and become regular blood donors, helping ensure patients with sickle cell have access to the best possible treatment when they need it the most.”

People living with sickle cell often require regular blood transfusions throughout their lives, and the closest blood matches often come from donors with the same ethnic background. The Ro blood subtype is important for many sickle cell patients and is far more commonly found in people of Black heritage.

Antonia Butler, Donor Centre Manager, Westfield’s London Donor Centre, Shepherd’s Bush for NHS Blood and Transplant adds:

“Anyone inspired by Simply Sayo’s campaign can book an appointment to donate blood at Sayo’s special donor drives or at any of the NHS Blood and Transplant donor centres in London and across England.”

How you can help

Simply Sayo’s campaign has already inspired hundreds of people to get involved. Earlier activity generated more than 600 new Black heritage donor registrations aged 16 to 34 in a single week, with previous donor sessions at the Brixton Donor Centre helping to potentially save or improve hundreds of lives.

To book to attend Simply Sayo’s blood drive at Westfield London Donor Centre, Shepherd’s Bush this Saturday, visit the link in her Instagram bio or click here: Group Bookings at Blood Donor Centres

Alternatively, register and book an appointment at your local blood donor centre through our website.