What’s Your Blood Type

Join us for an evening of interactive education and information to raise awareness about Sickle Cell Disorder and blood donation! Find out your blood type on the day!

Schedule:

6-7 PM: Blood testing, Donor sign ups, and Sickle cell education

7-8 PM: Screening of The Family Legacy film, 'a moving story of the emotional journey one family makes when their baby is born with sickle cell disease', and Q&A

8-8:45 PM: Panel discussion hosted by Joshua Street with Health professionals

8:45 - 9 PM: Panellist and audience interaction

Panelists:

Joshua Street is a former GB sprinter and Commonwealth medallist, now a Poet, Workshop Facilitator, and Learning Designer specialising in Business, Technology and HR as well as a Poet and Founder of "The U Collective" which is currently running the "Black Men-Talk Health" Mental Health group to support African-Caribbean Men's Mental Health in London.

Mrs. Nkechi Anyanwu ( BSc Hons, RGN, RM ) is a Certified Pegasus Counsellor. Nkechi is the Community Matron and Clinical Nurse Lead for the South East London Community Sickle & Thalassaemia services, for Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Trust (Evelina London) covering the boroughs of Lambeth, Southwark, Lewisham and Greenwich & Bexley. She is the Chairperson for The Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia Association of Nurses, Midwives and Allied Professionals (STANMAP); She represents Specialist SCT Nurses on the National Haemoglobinpathy Panel (NHP) and the Sickle cell & Thalassemia Advisory Board UK. She has worked as a haemoglobinopathy counsellor with clients, families and carers with Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia, since 1998 and has a wide range of experiences in the field. Her role includes providing management, professional and clinical leadership to a team of skilled specialist haemoglobinopathy nurses, in the delivery of high-quality integrated community based, nursing service. We increase patients coping strategies in the community which helps to reduce their hospital admission rate. I advocate for clients with major haemoglobinopathies and strive to raise awareness amongst the local population. She received the Florence Nightingale Nursing leadership award in 2021.

Iyamide Thomas is a chemistry graduate of University of London King’s College. She joined the Sickle Cell Society in October 2004 as a Regional Care Advisor working directly with individuals and families affected by sickle cell. Her current role is NHS Engagement Lead (Screening Programme), helping the NHS Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia Screening Programme address any inequalities in their service provision and ensuring it is underpinned by service user needs. Additionally, Iyamide led the NHS Screening Programme’s ‘Family Legacy’ DVD outreach project which raised awareness of sickle cell disease, associated myths and screening. This project is featured on the GOV.UK website, providing learning for those wanting to do outreach particularly in Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities.

Calvin Campbell, "I am Calvin Campbell and my whole life has been affected by sickle cell disorder. a serious blood condition, that causes excruciating pain, but thanks to regular red cell exchanges “Blood” I can still enjoy work and family life."

Leanne Barret is a Genetic Counsellor working in the NHS. She has a particular interest in the psychosocial impact of living with genetic conditions. Leanne is very passionate about equality in healthcare, particularly for individuals from the black community. This inspired her to create her instagram platform @Geneticlea, which is dedicated to increasing awareness and understanding of genetics, so that everyone has equal access to healthcare services, including individuals from the black community.