A Wembley Caribbean restaurant has appealed for black blood donors by sending a message inside 180,000 of their very popular Jamaican patties.
Port Royal Patties has placed a QR code on the wrappers of the food, which takes customers to the blood donation registration page.
This comes after a recent collaboration with NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) to encourage more black people to donate blood.
Speaking to The Voice Online about what inspired this campaign, Port Royal Patties marketing director Edward Johnston, said: “We are a London company with Jamaican heritage that feels it is vital we support initiatives that help the community thrive and grow.
“A few years ago, I came across an NHSBT Blood drive and learned about the urgent need for black heritage donors and I was so moved I signed up to give blood.
“I’m proud that we are a part of the drive to encourage more black people to give blood. I encourage other businesses in London and across the country to do all they can to support NHSBT with their lifesaving work.”
Frequent blood donor Michael Osuporu, a freelancer from Croydon, has been donating blood for almost a year.
Osuporu said: “What got me started was realising how much of a difference a single donation can make, it felt like a simple but powerful way to help others.
“I shared it on my social media page to give people some insight into the process and how it’s done.
“Hearing that it’s inspired others is really humbling, it’s amazing how something so simple can have a ripple effect.”
According to the NHS Blood and Transplant service, there is a higher demand for people with rare blood types which are more common in people from black heritage, such as Ro.
The NHS is eager for more people of black heritage to come forward to grow the number of blood donors with well-matched blood to help those with sickle cell disorder.
Image by: Camay Davis Mcauley
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