Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

‘Donate blood and save lives’

‘Donate blood and save lives’

STAFF SERGEANT SOHAIL ASHRAF of the British Army has called on the Asian community to consider donating blood.

According to him, the donation could “save someone’s life in their hour of need”.


The most recent data from the NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) shows that fewer than five per cent of donors who gave blood in the last year were from black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. This is despite BAME communities comprising around 14 per cent of the UK population.

Ashraf noted the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the NHS, but said he believed that the emphasis on the virus may lead to other illnesses being overlooked. The need for blood was still vital, he added.

“People may forget about all the other illnesses that are out there,” he told Eastern Eye. “But the NHS needs that blood, it’s really important.”

Acharya Krishan Attri is the British Army’s Hindu chaplain. He is also an advocate

for blood donation and is a regular donor. Whenever he donates blood, he

makes sure to post information on his social media pages to encourage others.

LEAD Blood donation Krishan Acharya Krishan Attri is a regular blood donor

“I put them on social media to show people there is nothing wrong with donating

blood and there is a great need for it, especially for those from an ethnic background,” Attri told Eastern Eye.

Ashraf said he first became aware of blood donation when his father died more than 12 years ago. While visiting him in hospital, Ashraf spoke to a nurse who told him about blood donation.

“It brought it home to me when I was speaking to the nurse about the lack of blood donorship from the Asian community,” said Ashraf, who was awarded an MBE in 2018 for his years of continuous work within the BAME community. “I did a bit of digging and found out how it all worked. I decided I wanted to do it because I could save someone’s life.”

He has regularly donated blood ever since. However, he believes the lack of Asian blood donors is down to several misconceptions. For instance, some may be wary of donating blood in case it goes against their religion.

“There may be perceptions within the Muslim community, for example, and they may think they shouldn’t be giving blood,” Ashraf explained. “But the holy books all say, if you can save someone’s life, that’s a good thing.”

There may also be a fear around the procedure itself, he said. “Having a needle inserted and then having a big bag right next to you which starts to fill up with blood… there is definitely a fear factor around it,” he said. “But I think people need to get down into the weeds of knowing how it all works. Giving that amount of blood every six months or so will not make a blind bit of difference [to their health].”

Attri agreed that some people may feel apprehensive about the process. “I’ve seen people feeling scared because they have never done it before, but we have doctors who support them and give them encouragement that there is nothing wrong,” he said. “They just need some encouragement from the community leaders and experienced people.”

Ashraf also believes there is a lack of media attention on the issue. “There needs to be targeted media campaigns to explain the reasons why we need to give blood,” he said.

Attri said services were “desperate” for donations from minority communities. “There is a shortage of blood, especially for people from ethnic backgrounds,” he explained. “People should definitely come forward, to help and support us.”

For more information, see www.blood.co.uk/

More For You

Why Do Muslims Celebrate Eid al-Fitr on Different Days? 3 Key Reasons

Some may celebrate on one day, while others may observe it the next

iStock

3 reasons why Muslims across the globe celebrate Eid al-Fitr on different days

Eid is one of the most joyous and important festivals in Islam, celebrated twice a year by Muslims worldwide. However, it’s common to see variations in the exact day of celebration, even within the same country. Some may celebrate on one day, while others may observe it the next. This divergence can sometimes confuse people outside the Muslim community and even among Muslims themselves. But the reasons for this variation are rooted in Islamic traditions and differing interpretations of how to determine the Islamic calendar.

Here are the three main reasons why Muslims don’t always celebrate Eid on the same day:

Keep ReadingShow less
Keir-Starmer-Getty

Keir Starmer’s communications chief has resigned after nine months in Downing Street. (Photo: Getty Images)

Getty Images

Starmer’s communications chief Matthew Doyle resigns after nine months

KEIR STARMER’s communications chief, Matthew Doyle, has resigned after nine months in Downing Street. Doyle, a Labour veteran who previously worked for Tony Blair, joined Starmer’s team as communications director four years ago when the party was in opposition.

His departure follows that of Sue Gray, Starmer’s former chief of staff, who left in the autumn. Doyle’s exit is expected to lead to the promotions of James Lyons to director of communications (strategy) and Steph Driver to director of communications (delivery), according to the BBC.

Keep ReadingShow less
Leicester leaders push for major expansion amid local government shake-up

Leicester’s population is expected to grow from 372,000 now to just over 600,000 by 2028

Leicester leaders push for major expansion amid local government shake-up

Hannah Richardson

LEICESTER leaders have named the areas they want to be incorporated into the city amid a shake-up of local government structures. The massive expansion plan would see a number of towns and villages at the city’s edges brought inside Leicester’s boundary.

Leicester City Council is looking to take part of Blaby and Harborough districts, and part of Oadby and Wigston and Charnwood boroughs. Among the communities being eyed up are Glenfield, Oadby, Wigston, Blaby, Whetstone, Syston, Anstey, Leicester Forest East, Birstall, Kirby Muxloe, Thurmaston and Countesthorpe.

Keep ReadingShow less
Lakshmi-Mittal-Getty

Mittal, who built his steel business over five decades, moved to the UK in 1995. (Photo: Getty Images)

Getty Images

Lakshmi Mittal may leave UK after non-dom tax abolition: report

STEEL tycoon Lakshmi Mittal is considering leaving the UK following the government’s decision to abolish the non-domiciled tax status. The move would make him one of the most prominent entrepreneurs to leave due to the tax reform.

Mittal, who has lived in the UK for three decades, has informed associates that his departure is likely due to Labour’s decision to end the non-dom regime, which allowed certain residents to avoid paying UK tax on foreign income.

Keep ReadingShow less
Benji Madden Says He Has a "Healthy Fear" of Cameron Diaz

The couple continues to celebrate milestones in their marriage

Getty

Cameron Diaz's husband Benji Madden: "I have a healthy fear of her"

Joel Madden, who is married to fashion designer and reality TV star Nicole Richie, also shared insights into his relationship on the podcast. The couple has been married since 2010 and are parents to two children: daughter Harlow, 17, and son Sparrow, 15. Joel spoke candidly about the way his wife "runs the show" in their household, while also stressing that they are equal partners.

“I don't know if I ever thought someone could keep me,” Joel admitted. “I don't know how I felt about it. I was a relationship guy, but then I met Nicole, and she absolutely runs the show, but we are partners.”

Keep ReadingShow less