There is an old saying that translates as 'Everyone is ready to drink/take blood but no-one is ready to give it'.

This readily sums up our attitude. We gladly take what we want from people who are willing to give, but when it is our turn to give back, our pockets somehow get deeper.

Sometimes financial difficulties play a part and I can appreciate that.

What if you could wholeheartedly give someone the gift of life? What if your blood was the fine line between life for you and death for them? Would you give it?

Yes is my answer, and to the dismay of my beautiful mother I met up with the National Blood Service and willingly donated 475ml of my sought-after blood whilst she watched with concern.

My blood, I am certain is no different to any other Asians, but the reason it is more sought after is simply because Asians, having more rare blood types do not give blood.

Yet, when their child, or parent or grandparent is in hospital in need of a transfusion, to save that person's life they take the blood offered to them.

There are many nonsense type myths flying about. For instance "its against my religion", or "It will hurt too much and I bruise easily" or even "I haven't got enough to give and they take too much".

What I can confirm for certain is that they do not take too much; in fact it is just under a pint and you can only donate 3 times a year as a max.

It doesn't hurt at all. A tiny prick is made on your finger and the minute sample used to ensure that you are not anaemic or ill in any other way.

If you are, the warning signs flag up and the nurses advise that they cannot accept your blood.

They then help you to lay down on a comfy bed whilst your blood pressure is checked. A teeny needle is inserted in your arm and a bag attached.

Within 5 minutes my bag was full to the limit. The needle was taken out, I was given a drink and off I went home, whilst my blood went off to do a noble deed.

What I found amazing was that The National Blood Service relies entirely on blood donations from the volunteering public. Each year 2.5 million donations are collected, tested, processed, stored and issued.

If you think that that is a grand figure and that you don't need to donate, you are mistaken, as it is only 6% of the population in this country that donate.

That is a pretty lousy figure and of even more concern is that only a teeny, tiny fraction of this 6% comprises of blood given by Asians.

I don't really know what I was expecting, but in some naive way I expected there to be different colours of blood. Glancing around the room I realised that everyone's blood was the same colour.

The preservation of a life is important and I would like to hope that more Asians come forward and offer to donate.

If you are interested in giving blood please call 01254 263806 for further information.