EPISODE · Apr 30, 2026 · 1H 11M
The Edge 185
from AffinityXtra · host AffinityXtra
Why the Black Community Must Give Blood for SICKLE CELL NOW ft. Astar (Hidden Pain Society) | The Edge 185 "One out of every 100 people in our community is fighting a battle you cannot see." In this urgent episode of The Edge on Affinity Xtra, Roger Moore sits down with gospel artist and founder of the Hidden Pain Society, Alidor Gaspar (Astar), to break the silence on the Sickle Cell crisis. Astar reveals the reality of living with a "full-blown" SS genotype, from receiving 12 bags of blood every six weeks to the unpredictable "tremors" of pain that can hit at any moment. We also address the devastating news regarding the Emergency Sickle Cell Day Unit at The Royal London Hospital and why we can no longer afford to "fight for scraps" when it comes to our health. In this interview, we discuss: * What is Sickle Cell? Understanding the genetic disorder that turns round blood cells into "crescent shapes" that clog the body. * The Transfusion Truth: Why Astar relies on 12 different donors every six weeks to survive—and why that blood needs to come from the Black community. * The Hospital Crisis: The 6-month trial at Royal London Hospital (Whitechapel) and the funding issues threatening this vital lifeline. * Breaking the Cycle: Why knowing your genotype is more important than knowing your blood type when starting a family. * A Call to Action: How churches, leaders, and "ballers" can mobilize to set up group blood donation bookings. 🩸 BE THE LIFELINE: The Black community needs the Ro blood subtype, which is most commonly found in our heritage. Donating takes 10 minutes, but it gives a Sickle Cell warrior a lifetime. * Register to Donate: www.blood.co.uk * Follow Astar & Hidden Pain Society: www.hiddenpainsociety.co.uk #SickleCell #GiveBlood #TheEdge #Astar #HiddenPainSociety #AffinityXtra #BlackHealth #RoSubtype #RoyalLondonHospital https://youtu.be/et9IJqG4hnU
What this episode covers
Why the Black Community Must Give Blood for SICKLE CELL NOW ft. Astar (Hidden Pain Society) | The Edge 185 "One out of every 100 people in our community is fighting a battle you cannot see." In this urgent episode of The Edge on Affinity Xtra, Roger Moore sits down with gospel artist and founder of the Hidden Pain Society, Alidor Gaspar (Astar), to break the silence on the Sickle Cell crisis. Astar reveals the reality of living with a "full-blown" SS genotype, from receiving 12 bags of blood every six weeks to the unpredictable "tremors" of pain that can hit at any moment. We also address the devastating news regarding the Emergency Sickle Cell Day Unit at The Royal London Hospital and why we can no longer afford to "fight for scraps" when it comes to our health. In this interview, we discuss: * What is Sickle Cell? Understanding the genetic disorder that turns round blood cells into "crescent shapes" that clog the body. * The Transfusion Truth: Why Astar relies on 12 different donors every six weeks to survive—and why that blood needs to come from the Black community. * The Hospital Crisis: The 6-month trial at Royal London Hospital (Whitechapel) and the funding issues threatening this vital lifeline. * Breaking the Cycle: Why knowing your genotype is more important than knowing your blood type when starting a family. * A Call to Action: How churches, leaders, and "ballers" can mobilize to set up group blood donation bookings. 🩸 BE THE LIFELINE: The Black community needs the Ro blood subtype, which is most commonly found in our heritage. Donating takes 10 minutes, but it gives a Sickle Cell warrior a lifetime. * Register to Donate: www.blood.co.uk * Follow Astar & Hidden Pain Society: www.hiddenpainsociety.co.uk #SickleCell #GiveBlood #TheEdge #Astar #HiddenPainSociety #AffinityXtra #BlackHealth #RoSubtype #RoyalLondonHospital https://youtu.be/et9IJqG4hnU
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The Edge 185
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