To ask you how to work out my ethnicity?

[GettingStuffDoneInSlippers]

Okay, sorry, I'm admittedly posting in AIBU because I need an answer quickly.

I'm wanting to be a blood stem cell donor, and it's something I'm shocked I hadn't signed up to do before now.

So here's my dilemma. It asks for ethnicity (I've attached a picture), and it says it's really important to be specific because it's hard to find a donor as it is, especially one that fits the exact criteria.

I would usually describe myself as White British and leave it at that. But even my Midwife during my pregnancy gave me a raised eyebrow and I always find myself explaining I 'look' the way I do because of my Grandmother.

I know nothing about genetics, hence my question.

My Grandmother is 100% Spanish. My own Mum is Half Spanish, half Scottish.

My Dad was just British.

So what does this make me? Should I just put white British; even though I do not look white British at all?

Does my very olive skin and colouring have any relevance to what I put down?

On the face of it, I suppose I would just put white British?

Sorry for the derail, I've no idea what to put down and don't want to get it wrong

Is Mediterranean an option? You look very Mediterranean! I would call them and ask.

Mrs there was an option or 'Italian, Portuguese or Spanish' but that's it really

Your skin colour isnt relevant. You look very like my goddaughter who has one white British parent, and one Indian parent. If it wasnt for her name, most people assume Spanish/Italian/Portugeuse parentage.

you are white, the issue is whether you choose white british/european/other. I'd call them to ask the them to clarify

you are gorgeous! I would tick mediterranean/Spanish ethnically.

Aww, thank you

I did click the Italian, Portuguese, etc option. I will ask them to elaborate further after I've sent my swab sample off in the post

and thank you for joining the register. that's really brilliant

Ding dong, missus!

Is there a number to call? You could fill in White British or White Other then call the helpline to explain further if the online form is inflexible.

Similar situation to yours her, but mystery Middle Eastern gps (don’t ask...) and I look like I’m something “other”, DS looks like a classic Northern European blond and blue while DD looks even more exotic (and I use that word advisedly in my case) than I do.

Genes, innit. For anything medical, I always mention it.

Ah! I see your update.

It seems strange that they were raising eyebrows because you didn't fit their view of what a (roughly) half spanish half british person ought to look like because the whole point is the genes and their origin not your face.

They will want to know your race, not your ethnicity. You'd think anyway...

Is your father white British and is the British on your mothers side white?

For donation is is only an issue if you are high risk for a dermatological genetic issue like sickle cell or thalassemia. Spanish is not high risk but for example green would be. I look white British but my father is polish, my maternal grandmother is from Zimbabwe and my maternal grandfather is Pakistani. That caused confusion with my booking bloods when I was pregnant. They want to know the genetic worst case scenario

Omg you're beautiful OP!

Flipping thank you

Wow. I don't care what they/you think you are but you are so naturally stunning

It’s not just about risk of negative conditions, it’s about being most likely to be the perfect match, especially for mixed race recipients who may have rarer immunology combinations. If you’re looking for a donor for an Northern European/Mediterranean recipient then you look amongst donors with that background first. Obviously there are much rarer ethnic mixes out there than the OP’s but it’s still important to get it noted correctly.

Read this with interest as I've always wondered about my heritage. I also have dark hair and eyes and olive skin but not as dark as you OP. When I have a spare £80 to burn I will do one of those ancestry DNA thingies. All I know is I have one German grand parent!

And you are absolutely stunning!

folly I'm so flattered, thank you!

ethel You say you have a German grandparent, could they possibly have Jewish ancestry themselves, and therefore possible Israeli background?

It's possible I guess. I never actually thought of that!