Thank you, blood donors for giving literal gift of life'

UK's 'most transfused' woman has had 1,500 pints since 6mths old

- MARTIN BAGOT

A WOMAN who may have received more blood than anyone else in Britain has thanked those who donate for keeping her alive.

Dipika Shah, 52, known as Dee, has thalassaemia, which means she cannot make her own blood properly.

Since she was six months old she has been given 1,800 units - 1,500 pints.

She now receives two units of blood every three weeks at London's Royal Free Hospital.

Thanking donors, Dee said: "Blood donors are lifesavers. Without this blood there are a lot of us who wouldn't have made it to the age we are. It is literally the gift of life."