My sister and I became aware it is Blood Cancer Awareness Month. There are so many rare forms of blood cancer, this made us want to do a topic.
We then thought of going one step further, and this is when we had the idea to contact ACLT (African Caribbean Leukaemia Trust). We feel so inspired by their strength, humility and how well they are doing in honour of their son Daniel De-Gale….
Please see Blood Cancer Awareness Month – in collaboration with ACLT BONDED BY BLOOD: A Mothers story (Richard Okorogheye) which covers:
- Introduction
- Richard Okorogheye
- BONDED BY BLOOD: A Mothers story (In memory of Richard Okorogheye) ACLT
- ACLT Story
- Blood Cancer Awareness Month Useful Links
- Our Final Thoughts/Our YouTube Video
© Copyright 2019 Grief Probate Journey Blog *PLEASE NOTE THIS INFORMATION IS SOURCED FROM UK WEBSITES* We are not experts in this field*
1. Introduction
In our blog, we not only share our grief story, but we also try our best to help to raise awareness of causes/awareness days that do not necessarily get recognised as much as they should do.
We do this as we feel passionate about this as we believe awareness and knowledge are powerful. It could also be the difference between a possible misdiagnosis.
My sister and I became aware it is Blood Cancer Awareness Month. There are so many rare forms of blood cancer, this made us want to do a topic.
We then thought of going one step further, and this is when we had the idea to contact ACLT (African Caribbean Leukaemia Trust). We feel so inspired by their strength, humility and how well they are doing for the black community with regards to blood donation, and all the great works and campaigns. This is such a great honour to their son Daniel De Gale.
We were so honoured when they responded and gave ways that we can help to raise awareness of one of their upcoming blood donor drives.
As well as the many other great works this organisation is part of, one of those this month is: BONDED BY BLOOD: A Mothers story (Richard Okorogheye)
The story of Richard Okorogheye is such a heart-wrenching heartbreaking story. It truly touched our hearts when we were following this. We cannot begin to imagine what the family is going through. This is why we feel the need, even more, to try the best we can to spread further awareness of this very important campaign.
Please see: BONDED BY BLOOD: A Mothers story (In memory of Richard Okorogheye)
2. Richard Okorogheye
2.1 Mother of Richard Okorogheye speaks of her devastation
“The mother of the missing student Richard Okorogheye has spoken of her devastation after being told by police that a body found in Epping Forest matched her son’s description”.
“Okorogheye, 19, has not been seen since leaving the home he shared with his mother, Evidence Joel, in Ladbroke Grove, west London, on the evening of 22 March 2021”.
2.2 Mother of Richard Okorogeheye joins appeal for black blood donors
“The mother of 19-year-old Richard Okorogheye, who was found dead weeks after being reported missing, is urging the black community to donate”…
2.3 Richard Okorogheye’s Mother plans to build a mental health foundation in his name
“Richard Okorogheye’s mother hopes to build a foundation in his name to support sufferers of sickle cell disease and young people with their”…
3. BONDED BY BLOOD: A Mothers story (Richard Okorogheye)
“Four black health charities and individuals launch the ‘Bonded By Blood’ campaign including the Richard Okorogheye Foundation, blood cancer charity ACLT (African Caribbean Leukaemia Trust), community organisations Unsickle My Cells (CIC) and SickleKan. Mothers are appealing for more Black donors to help people with sickle cell, like Richard”.
“To register to donate blood and attend the Bonded by Blood: A Mothers Story blood donation sessions, individuals should call the priority booking line on 0300 303 2805. Alternatively, people can CLICK HERE and complete the pre-booking form.” ..
3.1 New Blood Donation Campaign in memory of Richard Okorogheye
“To register to donate blood and attend the Bonded by Blood: A Mothers Story blood donation sessions, individuals should call the priority”…
Bonded by Blood donation sessions will take place at the below locations:
LONDON
- Sunday 26th September – 09:30am – 4:00pm –Harris Invictus Academy – Croydon, Surrey CR0 2TB
- Saturday 2nd October – 09:05am – 4:05pm Resource for London Centre – 356 Holloway Road, London, N7 6PA
- Saturday 2nd October – 08:30am – 5:30pm – Westfield’s Shopping Centre – Unit 2096 Westfield Shopping Centre, Ariel Way, London W12 7GF
- Saturday 2nd October – 08:30am – 5:00pm- Westfield’s Stratford City -31 Westfield Avenue, London E20 1EH
- Saturday 9th October – 10:00am – 4:00pm – St Laurence Centre in Catford -37 Bromley Road, London SE6 2TS
- Sunday 10th October – 09:30am – 4:00pm – Chelsea FC – Stamford Bridge, Fulham Road, London SW6 1HS
- Sunday 10th October – 09.30am – 4.00pm – Lambeth Town Hall -1 Brixton Hill, London SW2 1RW
BRISTOL
- Saturday 25th September – Malcolm X Centre – 141 City Road, St Paul’s, Bristol BS2 8YH
BIRMINGHAM
- Sunday 10th October – The Legacy Centre – 144 Potters lane, Birmingham B6 4UU
MANCHESTER
- Sunday 25th September – 08.35am – 4.05pm – Manchester Blood Donor Centre – Plymouth Grove, Manchester M13 9LL TBC
WHY IT’S IMPORTANT TO DONATE
The need for more African and Caribbean people to join the blood donation register remains an important ask today as it did nearly 20 years ago when ACLT was founded. Some blood groups such as B positive, and rarer sub types such as Ro, are also more common in black communities.
SICKLE CELL DISEASE
People from black communities are more likely to have conditions such as Sickle Cell Disease, which causes their red blood cells to behave differently. Some people with Sickle Cell Disease require regular transfusions to stay healthy. There are currently more people living with Sickle Cell Disease than there are active black and mixed-race donors.
3.2 YouTube Video: BLACK PEOPLE: LET’S TALK ABOUT BLOOD DONATION
4. ACLT
4.1 ACLT Story
“The ACLT a leading Blood cancer/disorder charity dedicated to raising awareness of the severe shortage of donors on United Kingdom Stem Cell, Blood and Organ donor registers”.
- “Promoting Stem Cell (Bone Marrow) and Blood donation”
- “Registering potential donors”
- “Supporting patients and their families”
4.2 What We Do
ACLT is a 40+ time award-winning charity committed to providing hope to patients living with blood cancer and illnesses where a matched donor (stem cell, blood or organ) is required to save a life. Our work is driven by a belief that no one should die waiting for a donor to become available.
4.3 ACLT About us
“In 1999 Daniel De-Gale became the first black individual in the UK to receive a stem cell transplant from an unrelated donor. As a direct result of the transplant and the regular blood transfusions he received, Daniel lived a happy life, finally free from blood cancer for several years. However in October 2008, Daniel was taken from us at the age of 21 as a result of multiple organ failure. This was due to complications with his health having received too many years of toxicity from chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments whilst waiting for a matching donor to be found”.
“After Daniel passed away we made a conscious decision to continue the work of ACLT, keeping Daniel’s legacy alive and saving many more lives in his name”.
“Daniel was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) on the 7th April 1993 when he was just 6 years of age. He initially underwent 2 years of highly intensive chemotherapy and other toxic treatments in an attempt to beat the cancer…”
5. Blood Cancer Awareness Month: Useful Links
- Official Blood Cancer UK – Fund Life-Saving Research
- Blood Cancer Awareness Month
- Blood Cancer Awareness Month – Lymphoma Action
- September is Blood Cancer Awareness Month – Leukemia
- NHS Blood and Transplant We are a Special Health Authority, dedicated to saving and improving lives through the wide range of services we provide to the NHS
- What is Sickle Cell Trait? | CDC “People who inherit one sickle cell gene and one normal gene have sickle cell trait (SCT). People with SCT usually do not have any of the symptoms of sickle” …
- Can Sickle Cell Trait cause health problems? “Sickle cell trait is NOT a disease and will never turn into a disease. People with sickle cell trait usually do not have any health problems. However, under extreme conditions a person with sickle cell trait can experience some of the same problems as a person who has sickle cell disease”.
6. Our Final Thoughts /YouTube Video
We hope there will be people who will attend the blood drives if it is something they would like to do and are able to do. I myself am not able to donate blood due to my autoimmune disease (Underactive Thyroid originally diagnosed with Graves Disease). (We have a topic on: January Thyroid Disease Awareness Month 2021). It was actually at an ACLT Blood Drive that I found this out for myself.
We first became aware of ACLT in 2007, when a dear friend of ours was diagnosed with Myelodysplastic Syndrome, and he was included in their walk-in blood clinic in October 2007.
We then became aware of their Son Daniel De-Gale and his story and their efforts to gain a donor for him.
My friends and I am so inspired by the family, the organisation and the strength and the unity they have.
We have taken part in charity runs over the years, most recently your virtual run/walk this year (16th May 2021).
Our thoughts are with those who have lost loved ones, and to those who are caring for loved ones going through this.
Our YouTube Video:
Grief Probate Journey 
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