Donating blood could be the greatest gift you will give this Christmas
Bec Burridge’s brave fight against a rare form of leukaemia has inspired her AFL team to donate blood - and encourage other teams to do the same.
THE brave battle of a teammate with a rare form of leukaemia has inspired a Sydney AFL team to champion the cause of blood donation, with hopes she may one day return to the field.
The Breakaways are laying down arms to show courage for 42-year-old forward Rebecca “Buns” Burridge, who needs a blood component called platelets and a second bone-marrow transplant to beat the disease.
Ms Burridge is appealing for AFL clubs and fans across Sydney to put themselves on the line and donate as part of Blood4Buns, to ensure she and other cancer patients get the treatment they need.
“I’m grateful to my teammates and other Australians out there for donating blood, the fact that so many of them have put their hands up to donate is amazing,” she said.
“The first diagnosis was a shock as I have never been sick and just didn’t think it would happen to me ... I’m a fighter but in the back of my mind I know this is going to be tough.
“It’s wonderful to have my team on my side. For people out there who are healthy it is only time needed to donate, but for me your donation is life, I won’t survive without the generosity of blood donors.”
Ms Burridge is waiting for a bone marrow match, and two potential donors have been located in Germany.
Blood Service spokeswoman Jemma Falkenmire said cancer patients were the biggest users of blood in Australia and platelets were vital to prevent life-threatening bleeding during chemotherapy.
“Platelets are difficult for us to collect as they have a short shelf life of five days, and we particularly need them around public holidays such as Christmas and New Year,” she said.
“Around 900 Australians are diagnosed with acute leukaemia every year, and it’s inevitable that people who play sport will be affected or touched by the need for blood at some point in their lives.”
Ms Burridge said people could help by pledging a donation for Sydney AFL at their nearest donor centre, with donations particularly needed over the festive season. “My plans for the future are on hold, but who knows, by 2016 I might have another year left in me to play, miracles can happen,” she said.
Players, family friends and fans can donate for their club and Blood4Buns by selecting Sydney AFL at donateblood.com.au/who-can-give/club-red/join-group – stimulating a little healthy competition both on and off the field. Inquiries: 13 14 95 or visit donateblood.com.au.
