MOBOs Launch ‘B Positive’ Campaign

Whilst Echoes has been critical of the MOBOs for its various [and continuing] failures – see Editor’s letter Nov issue – in fairness, their ‘B Positive’ blood donation campaign this year deserves unconditional support.
Partnering with NHS Blood & Transplant for the second time, MOBOs has announced a drive to recruit younger blood donors, especially those from the black community. With a 60-strong choir at its focal point, ‘B Positive’ has been so named because the blood type is more common in the black population, and aims to drive registrations of new blood donors, in particular targeting 17-35 year-olds and those from black communities, who are more likely to have genetic blood conditions such as sickle cell disease [which requires regular blood transfusions].
Following last year’s successful ‘Represent’ campaign headed by MOBO 2016 Best Female winner Lady Leshurr, MOBO and NHS Blood & Transplant have this year assembled the ‘B Positive’ choir, a 60-strong aggregation of people who either live with sickle cell or have family members or friends affected by the disease – led by Choir Master, Colin Anderson.

MOBO founder and CEO, Kanya King MBE has commented:
“B Positive” has been created to raise awareness and encourage blood donation through the power of music and motivate a new generation to take action and get involved. We need more new donors from younger audiences and black communities to help ensure that patients can get the best possible treatment.”

The choir will make its debut on November 20 at the MOBO Pre Awards Show, Boisdale Canary Wharf, London, as well as performing at various subsequent events and locations. The culmination will be a performance at the 22nd MOBO Awards itself, held at the First Direct Arena in Leeds on November 29.

Visit www.blood.co.uk to book an appointment to give blood or download the app by searching ‘NHS Give Blood’.