Dame Elizabeth Anionwu honoured with plaque

Dame Elizabeth Anionwu became the country's first specialist sickle cell nurse counsellor in the 1970s

A plaque honouring Professor Dame Elizabeth Anionwu, the NHS's first sickle cell specialist nurse counsellor, has been unveiled at an NHS blood donor centre in south London.

Dame Elizabeth officially opened Brixton Blood Donor Centre on Wednesday.

Sickle cell disease, a debilitating condition that disproportionately affects black people, is the UK's fastest growing genetic disorder, NHS Blood and Transplant said.

"We still rely on the generosity of blood donors from the Black community to make a lifesaving difference," Dame Elizabeth said.

Dame Elizabeth unveiled her plaque in Brixton

"When I became the country's first specialist sickle cell nurse counsellor in the 1970s, the disease was not very well known or understood.

"But what we did know was that the generosity of blood donors, especially from the black community, was key to alleviating the pain of patients.

"I urge all people across south London to make an appointment at this unique new centre to give blood and save lives."

Marsha Howe, who has sickle cell disease, lost her younger sister to it last year at 37 years old. She attended Wednesday's plaque unveiling.

Ms Howe said: "Sickle cell disease has affected me and my family drastically.

"One day is never the same and I have a blood exchange every seven weeks, where I go to Guy's and St Thomas' and have seven pints of blood taken out and replaced with non-sickle cell blood."

Rexford Osei-Bonsu and Marsha Howe said it was important for more people to donate blood

Rexford Osei-Bonsu, the Brixton blood donor centre manager, said it had been a long wait and he was happy to see the centre open.

"We need more black people and people from a black, Caribbean and African community to come donate," he added.

The centre was developed in collaboration with community leaders, local businesses and residents to encourage more donors from black Caribbean and black African heritage.

Black communities are significantly more likely to have the specific 'Ro' blood type used to treat sickle cell.

More than half of black heritage blood donors have the Ro blood type, compared with 2.4% of donors from other ethnicities.

The centre hopes to welcome more than 1,000 donors a week.