Gift of life: Ballarat High School students and Red Cross youth ambassadors Tyler Dridan and Amy Borain with fellow students ready to donate blood at the donor centre yesterday. PICTURE: JEREMY BANNISTER
FULLY replenished with water, fruit and chocolate, students from Ballarat High School’s year 12 leadership group descended on the Ballarat Donor Centre to give blood yesterday.
Red Cross Youth Ambassador Amy Borain was the mastermind behind the mission and said she wanted her school mates to realise the importance of giving blood.
“I organised today’s trip to the centre because it’s something which young people need to get involved with,” Ms Borain said.
“We are the next generation and need to understand the importance of donating blood.”
One in three Australians require blood donations, but only one in 30 people donate.
Year 12 student and fellow Red Cross Youth Ambassador Tyler Dridan was donating for the first time and said it resonated with her after a young cousin was diagnosed with leukaemia five years ago.
“My little cousin was fortunate enough to beat the disease, but that wouldn’t have been possible without blood donations,” she said.
“It’s such a simple thing to do and it could save someone’s life.”
Donated blood goes to help patients with cancer and other blood diseases, surgical patients, premature babies, pregnant women and road accident victims.