UK artists rally to support blood drive for Sickle Cell patients at the Brixton Blood Donation Centre, Sat 29th Nov 2025

Brixton will come alive this November as some of the UK’s most recognisable music stars join forces to save lives on Saturday 29th November 2025.

Grammy Award winner, FlowDan, Lisa Maffia and DJ Swiss of So Solid Crew, Bushkin of Heartless Crew, Terri Walker, and Neeko from More Fire Crew will stand alongside Honestly Trina, Sickle In Me’s Vicki-Ann Riviere, and the African Caribbean Leukaemia Trust (ACLT) for the Honestly Giving Blood Drive.

Taking place at the Brixton Blood Donation Centre on Saturday 29th November, the event will transform blood donation into a celebration of music and community, showing that giving blood can be an act of joy and solidarity.

Where Culture Meets Cause

The Honestly Giving Blood Drive, Inspired by Honestly Trina, host of the Honestly Speaking Talk show, and Vicki-Ann Riviere, founder of the health awareness platform Sickle in Me, seeks to turn blood donation into a warm, culturally rooted experience while also raising funds for a blood exchange machine to support people living with sickle cell.

The drive also continues ACLT’s One Drop Saturdays, a monthly initiative encouraging the Black British community to donate and save lives together.

During the Honestly Giving Blood Drive, the Brixton Blood Donation Centre will be transformed into a space where music, dialogue, and shared purpose come together.

Two live DJs will keep the energy flowing as attendees donate blood and connect.

Between donation slots, audiences will hear inspiring voices bringing a unique perspective, from the lived realities of sickle cell to the importance of representation and community health, with words from Mary-Shaniqua, a sickle cell advocate and author of Shaniqua’s Sickle Chronicles; Dr. Victoria Sajowa, a doctor and awareness advocate, as well as hosts Honestly Trina and Vicki-Ann Riviere.

Whilst blood donation is the main focus of this event, the day will include a raffle to raise funds towards the purchase of a ‘Apheresis machine’ that will be donated to a hospital to support the ongoing treatment of sickle cell patients requiring regular blood exchanges.

Honestly Trina said: “This initiative is about more than giving blood. It’s about giving hope. Representation and awareness are key to saving lives, especially within our community. Through this drive, we’re using our platforms to make a lasting difference.”

Vicki-Ann Riviere added: “As someone living with sickle cell, I know first-hand how vital blood donations are. Every donor plays a role in saving lives. Partnering with Honestly Speaking and ACLT is a chance to educate, empower, and inspire others to take action.”

ACLT’s Lifesaving Mission

For nearly three decades, the African Caribbean Leukaemia Trust (ACLT) has been at the forefront of tackling health inequalities in donation and raising awareness of the critical need for Black blood, stem cell, and organ donors.

Beverley De-Gale OBE and Orin Lewis OBE, Co-Founders of ACLT, said: “Representation saves lives. When respected voices from music and culture step forward and lead by example, it inspires real change. The Honestly Giving Blood Drive shows how community leadership can turn awareness into action.”

The Urgent Need for Black Blood Donors

The urgency of this work cannot be overstated. The Ro blood subtype vital for people with sickle cell disorder is found more frequently in individuals of African and Caribbean heritage. Yet, only 2% of UK blood donors are Black, creating a dangerous shortfall that affects thousands of patients every year and impacts their everyday quality of life.

ACLT’s message remains simple yet powerful: one donation can save three lives, so take action today.

To register to donate at the Honestly Giving Blood Drive, please click this link.

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