My names are Ladipo Adekunle Fadipe, a male, now about 60 years old. In 2006, my senior brother was diagnosed of leukaemia in the UK. After several attempts to treat him, request for blood match was sent to me and my younger sister in Nigeria to be used for my brother's treatment, which we gladly obliged and sent through DHL to London. It was however discovered that the blood did not match his blood 100%, therefore could not be used. He was subsequently subjected to chemotherapy which was a painful procedure (how long? No of months) but was the only alternative then. He got well and was discharged from hospital. Ten years later (2016), he had a relapse, this time, very acute. I received a message from him when he was at UCL (give name in full) that due to advance in technology, the 50% match which we had in 2006 can be used perfectly for his treatment. Without thinking twice, I went to London for the necessary pre-harvest tests. The tests were conducted over a period of 6-8 weeks which made me visit London three times in succession. On the completion of the tests, my blood was found perfectly okay to be used. A letter was sent to me from the hospital, which was meant to be my final consent to donate. In the letter was a caveat that read, (using my own words): "YOU HAVE BEEN FOUND PERFECTLY OKAY FOR THE DONATION BUT AT THIS STAGE YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO DECLINE DONATING YOUR STEM CELL, THE MAIN IMPLICATION IF YOU DECLINE IS THAT YOU WILL HASTEN YOUR BROTHER'S DEATH". I had signed before I read it, but it was these words that got me frightened, as nothing was said about what could happen to me - the donor. Could there be any negative effect that I wasn't told? In any case, I went ahead with the donation. The day of the harvesting came, and it would take about 7-10 hours and they needed four pints. If what got harvested was not enough that first day, the process would be repeated the third day. The day in-between was for the needed injection and rest. So, for the period of almost 10 hours, I laid on my back. Quite unfortunately, what was harvested the first day was just 2.6 pints which meant the process would be repeated. In all these, I didn't feel anything and never thought that it could have any negative effect and thank God it never had. Second day of harvesting came, and it was successful and on that day my brother was transfused with the harvested cells. Glory to God Almighty, Hallelujah. After donation, another round of tests was conducted and I was found perfectly all right, in fact no medication was prescribed for me. On the third day after donation, I took my flight back to Nigeria. My wife and daughter came to pick me at the airport but when I saw them, I was disturbed because they had lost so much weight, I didn't know that they started praying and fasting the day I left for England for the donation. At that stage, I got very emotional that water swelled up in my eyes, but I quickly braced up and told them that it was the least of what I could do to save my brother's life. My wife confessed that I looked great and more handsome, we laughed and gave glory to God for His mercy. This is the myth surrounding our feelings as members of the BAME community, the fear of not knowing what the outcome of donating might be. But I am here today to appeal, please donate blood, stem cell, Platelets, and save a life. God bless you.