A 30-year-old mother from South Norwood who suffers from sickle cell anaemia is spearheading a campaign to encourage people from ethnic minorities to donate blood, writes Kerry McQueeney.

Tracey James is using her own experience of the disorder to urge more donors from ethnic minorities to come forward.

Her case is being highlighted by the National Blood Service's year-long campaign A lot to say thank you for', launched this week to thank donors for helping to save and improve patients' lives.

It also highlights the need to attract donors from African, Afro-Caribbean, Indian and Middle-Eastern descent as well as Europeans and Mediterranean origin.

A spokesman from the National Blood Service is hoping Tracey's case will spur others to give blood.

He said: "Tracey is of Afro-Caribbean descent, which complicates matters as there is a real shortage of compatible donors from minority ethnic groups.

"Because blood groups are part of our inheritance, and vary among different races, finding a match may prove to be impossible.

"It's essential to recruit many more donors, and in particular donors from ethnic backgrounds."

During the birth of her daughter Tracey developed a chronic heart disorder, and woke up in intensive care at Mayday Hospital.

Despite giving birth to a healthy baby, she was kept in hospital for four weeks and it was then Tracey found out she had diabetes.

Tracey has relied on blood donors since childhood, which have frequently saved her life, and knows only too well the importance of donors from ethnic minorities.

She said: "I would like to thank everyone: my partner, family, friends, medical staff and blood donors who have given me the chance to watch my daughter grow up."

The National Blood Service is constantly looking for new blood donors. People aged 17-60 years should call 08457 711 711 or visit the website at http://www.blood.co.uk.