Hamzah Khaled, 20, has been a regular blood donor ever since he saw a presentation about it at school. It was at his fourth donor session, held at his school, that he decided to join the British Bone Marrow Registry.
"Staff at the session told me how more people from diverse ethnic backgrounds are needed to increase the chance of matching patients with a donor," says Hamzah.
Within a month, Hamzah - who by now was on a gap year placement - was asked to become one of the country's youngest bone marrow donors.
"I was surprised to be contacted, especially so soon. I decided to do it because I knew it would only be a few days out of my life to save someone else."
Proud of the life-saving difference he made, Hamzah says, "I would do it again, and I'd encourage more people from ethnic communities to register."
