A SHORTAGE of black and South Asian blood donors in Bradford has been highlighted in a new health campaign.

NHS Blood and Transplant’s Missing Type scheme is raising awareness of which types are particularly needed.

It says barriers to donation in minority communities include a lack of awareness that South Asian donors are needed and the false assumption that donation is not supported by their religion.

Mike Stredder, director of blood donation at NHS Blood and Transport, said: “We particularly need people with blood groups O negative, and A negative to come forward and people from black and South Asian communities.

“We have a dedicated blood donor centre at Rawson Street, which is the perfect place to donate blood for the first time.”

In Bradford, 6,388 people gave blood at least once last year, but only 181 black people and 758 South Asian people in West Yorkshire donated across the whole of West Yorkshire.

Last year, 15.2 per cent of donors in Bradford were aged between 17 and 24, with 49.6 per cent aged 45 or over.

The donation drive started after the number of people signing up and giving blood for the first time in England fell by 24.4 per cent between 2005 and 2015.

Paige Hendrickson, 23, has sickle cell anaemia and needs blood transfusions every two months.

Miss Hendrickson, of Barmby Place, Undercliffe, said she had nearly died twice in the last ten years. The disease means her immune system is weakened and she frequently suffers with pneumonia. She also has reduced lung function.

“I have been having blood exchange transfusions every two months for the past two years," she said.

“This gives me a new lease of life and without the exchange transfusions, I would not be able to live my life the way I do. My quality of life would be affected and I would not be able to work and go out with my friends.

“I would like to thank every blood donor and I ask people to please support Missing Type by registering as new blood donors.”

Visit blood.co.uk or call 0300 1232323.

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