37. Give blood (at least once)

When I found out I had Crohn's Disease and had to permanently take medication, I asked my IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease) nurse if I would be able to give blood. I'd had enough blood tests to curb my fear of needles and, as I'd found out my blood type was A+, I wanted to start to donate. Unfortunately, she said it would not be possible. Such a shame, all the years I wasted not doing it and then to be told I couldn't.

Due to the fact I cannot do this for the foreseeable future, I'm spreading the word to others to do this in my stead. If you can, please do give blood, especially if you have rare blood type.

Whilst on a similar subject, it is becoming increasingly difficult to find stem cell matches with the shortage of people not joining registers and the age restrictions of joining some of them.

I am already on the Anthony Nolan Trust register but so far I have not matched with anyone. You can join the register if you're aged between 16 and 30. They are looking for more men to join as men create more stem cells. You can find more information here.

The British Bone Marrow Registry is looking for donors aged between 17 and 40. More information is available here.

If you're older than 40 and want to become a donor then the organisation that needs your help is called DKMS and all they need is a swab from you. You can find out more information here.

Please, please do register somewhere - you might not be needed but, if you're on the register, then you can have peace of mind that you might be able to save someone's life someday.