A FAMILY whose dad was a veteran blood donor are urging others from Bradford’s South Asian communities to give the gift of life in his memory.

Rajinder Singh Panesar, who died in December last year aged just 69 from heart failure, was a popular teaching figure across the city’s temples and in his honour his family are backing a campaign to encourage more people to come forward and register as blood and organ donors.

Mr Panesar’s son Jyoti Panesar said his dad, who worked as a builder before becoming an interfaith teacher visiting schools and temples, got ‘hooked’ on giving blood in the 1970s after going to pay a bill and walking in through the wrong door into a blood donor session by mistake.

Mr Panesar senior, who lived in Ovenden near Halifax and was also a devoted charity worker, went on to give blood 75 times after that, receiving an award from the NHS Blood and Transplant Service for his dedication.

“Dad always said blood was something everyone needed. If he or his family were ever in the situation where they needed blood how could he willingly accept it if he has never donated himself to help someone else,” said his son, 42.

Now Mr Panesar’s 19-year-old granddaughter Amrit is following his footsteps and has already given blood about three times and is encouraging fellow university students in Manchester to do the same.

“Dad would have been very proud. Giving blood is a simple and effortless act that offers the chance of a lifetime,” added Mr Panesar.

Organisers of Sewa Day, an act of volunteering marked by Hindu and Sikh-affiliated groups, have joined in partnership with NHS Blood and Transplant to get more much-needed donors from their communities.

Bharat Vadukul, who is Sewa Day Chairman said: “Around 14 per cent of the population of England are black or South Asian but less than 3 per cent of people who have given blood in the last twelve months are from these communities. The picture for organ donation is a similar one with patients from these communities over-represented on the transplant waiting list, yet underrepresented on the NHS Organ Donor Register. Black and South Asian donors are more likely to have rare blood types so it is essential that we have more blood donors from these communities.”

Theo Clarke, National BAME (Black, ethnic and minority ethnic) Marketing Manager at NHS Blood and Transplant said “South Asian patients wait longer than white patients for transplants as there are not enough suitable organs available. By joining the NHS Organ Donor Register and sharing your decision with your families you could save up to nine lives, if you are able to donate after your death. By becoming a blood donor, you can save up to three lives every time you donate.”

People can join the NHS Organ Donor Register or become a new blood donor by calling 0300 123 23 23.

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