ONE in three Australians will need a blood transfusion in their lives, but only one in 30 donate.
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Now, students at The Armidale School have rolled up their sleeves to help save lives.
Year 12 student Saxon Hughes said he was inspired to start what he calls the Vampire Cup after seeing his sister donate and watching advertisements on television calling for donors.
There was a bit of a competition with the boys to see who could get it done the fastest – plus you get a biscuit and a milkshake afterwards so it’s well worth it.
- Saxon Hughes.
“One of our boarding masters, her daughter has leukemia and has had a lot of blood transfusions so that also made it all the more important and relevant for us to start doing it at school,” Saxon said.
The Vampire Cup challenges local schools to see which can donate the most blood.
At The Armidale School, 18 students have signed up.
“A lot of people were actually pretty keen, all the slots were filled up quickly so it’s a pretty perfect result,” Saxon said.
The students have the next three weeks at the Red Cross Blood Bank booked up.
Saxon said his first donation was last Monday, and despite his nerves it felt good to know he was saving lives.
“The people at the blood bank were really excited because I think something like five per cent of the population donates blood,” he said.
“We’ve realised it’s not that bad, it doesn’t hurt and it doesn’t take much time at all – we’ll be able to continue donating for the rest of our lives.
“There was a bit of a competition with the boys to see who could get it done the fastest – plus you get a biscuit and a milkshake afterwards so it’s well worth it.
“That was a bit of a driver for the teenagers.”
The whole donation process takes an hour, and can be used for more than 20 different medical treatments.
These blood transfusions go to trauma patients, pregnant women, surgical patients, orthopaedic patients, cancer sufferers, those with anemia and more.
“It’s in demand, and no matter who you are – if you donate blood it will always go toward saving a life,” Saxon said.
The Vampire Cup is an initiative of the TAS prefects and Saxon said he hopes a number of other schools will be inspired to get involved.