A LITTLE girl from Shipley is only the second child in the country to be diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder.

Adorable six-year-old Inaaya Ramzan relies on monthly blood transfusions to treat a chronic inflammatory bowel disease.

She has SLCO2A1, a defect which means she is missing a gene which helps to produce prostaglandins in her blood.

Since being diagnosed, Inaaya has had to trial a number of medications and has also had to undergo surgery to remove 73 centimetres of her intestine due to adhesions and damage.

Now her family are supporting a campaign during National Blood Week (June 10 to 16) to highlight the importance of blood donation.

Mum Safina said: “Inaaya is a tough little cookie, about a week before she is due her transfusion she can become pale and weak but after her transfusion she is full of energy.

"I am so grateful to all the amazing souls who give blood.

"Giving blood is so vital, my daughter is relying on the kindness of others.

" I don’t know what we would do if people didn’t give blood. I am indebted to each and every one of them.”

Other supporters of National Blood Week include Bradford man Alex Luke.

The 26-year-old inherited an incurable condition called Sickle Cell Anaemia from his parents.

He was studying Engineering in Telecommunications at Queen Mary University of London, but was forced to drop out due to his poor health.

Alex was having what he describes as a "sickle cell crisis" and was in a critical condition. His blood count was just 26hb, compared to a normal reading of 135hb.

He was given an immediate transfusion as his state at that time was considered life threatening.

Alex said: “Had it not been that life-saving blood transfusion; I don’t think I would be here today but because someone out there donated their blood, I am able to feel lively once again.”

NHS Blood and Transplant is calling for more men in particular to start donating at the Bradford donor centre on Manor Row.

New figures show that only 46 per cent of the current blood donors at the centre are male - and nationally the figure is dropping "worryingly quickly". The centre needs 840 new male donors over the next year.

While donations from all genders are welcome, men are more likely to be able to donate and to help more patients with each donation.

If you would like to become a blood donor, register at blood.co.uk or call 0300 123 23 23 or visit www.blood.co.uk