Faith leaders from several of the UK's major religions are lending their support to a campaign to encourage more black and Asian people to donate blood.
The National Blood Service (NBS) campaign, called 'Circle of Life' aims to highlight the need for regular blood donation from all communities to ensure demand for blood is met.
The act of blood donation has received endorsement from Christian, Muslim, Hindu and Sikh faith leaders, who recognise that more blood donors from ethnic communities are needed across England and north Wales. Currently, only five percent of the eligible population donate blood, and less than three percent of the total number of donors are from ethnic minority backgrounds.
Research has shown that many non-donors have assumed religious objections to blood donation, while in fact none of the major faiths practised in the UK forbid the life-saving act.
The NBS hopes the faith leader endorsement will help overcome fears that blood donation is not accepted and will encourage more people to not only consider donating blood, but also come forward and actually donate.
Bishop Dr Joe Aldred, Chair of the Council of Black-led Churches commented: "I believe that giving blood is an act of love and compassion that will directly help our fellow brothers and sisters.
"Jesus taught us about love through all His words and actions, and shedding His blood on the cross for us is the ultimate act of Love.
