Christine Drummond currently has four blood transfusions a week

Christine Drummond, from Ramsgate, has a rare disorder which means she is short of red blood cells and now needs four pints a week to keep her alive.

The 63-year-old said: "I cannot live without my transfusions - I am totally dependent on them."

Last year 2m people gave blood in the UK - only 6% of those eligible to. The blood service needs 9,000 pints a day.

I have never met anyone like her - I have never seen a person receive 1,000 units of blood Dr Jindriska Hybnerovah, haematologist

Mrs Drummond, who was given two years to live 14 years ago, received her 1,000th pint on Wednesday

She said: "I just think that in years gone by people did not get the opportunity

"So somebody out there should give a donation and give somebody else an opportunity of living because that is what it is all about."

Dr Jindriska Hybnerovah, haematologist, said: "I have never met anyone like her - I have never seen a person receive 1,000 units of blood.

"Obviously she is limited because she spends a lot of time in the hospital having her transfusions but she is still alive."

Vicky Smith, from the National Blood Service, said: "Patients in hospital need blood for a whole range of treatments.

"Anything from chemotherapy to hip replacement operations.

"Which is why we always need more donations."

The National Blood Service has recently set up an appointment service to make easier for people to give blood.