Top sports stars back Blake’s Army charity in fight against bone marrow failure syndrome

Blake Dridan has been battling bone marrow failure for years, now an army of sporting identities have joined the fight.

When 11-year-old Blake Dridan came home from school in Ballarat covered in bruises, nobody expected it to be the start of a life changing battle against a rare and cruel medical syndrome.

Now 15, Blake still spends more time in hospital than at school, but appears to have come through the worst that bone marrow failure syndrome had to throw at him.

The devastating syndrome last made headlines when it claimed the life of Maddie Riewoldt, sister of St Kilda star Nick Riewoldt, when she was just 26.

Bone marrow transplant recipient Blake Dridan with former St Kilda great Fraser Gehrig. Picture: David Caird

With the backing of some of Australia’s biggest sporting names, Blake’s family is now determined to raise millions for medical research, with the hope of finding better treatments for the group of diseases which stop sufferers’ bodies from producing blood properly.

Blake’s dad, Luke, said his son had spent the past five years being “filled up with all sorts of drugs” that doctors couldn’t say with any certainty would fix him.

“They just don’t know much about it — they’ll say ‘we’re going to try this’, but they don’t know if it’ll work,” Mr Dridan said.

“It’s hard to watch and I just felt like I needed to do something.”

Mr Dridan said he has been overwhelmed by the support many of Blake’s sporting heroes have offered in setting up their newly-launched charity, Blake’s Army.

“The support is incredible. If you ever had any doubt about the Australian spirit still being alive and well this is what the Australian spirit is and always was,” he said.

Bone marrow transplant recipient Blake Dridan with his dad Luke and former AFL St Kilda great Fraser Gehrig. Picture: David Caird

Among the stars who have lent their support are Sydney Swans and Fitzroy legend Paul Roos, former St Kilda forward Fraser Gehrig, former Opals captain Lauren Jackson, Australian Open champion Scott Draper and Australian cricket coach Justin Langer.

Gehrig, who has joined the charity as a director, said he had seen just how brutal the syndrome was as he kept tabs on Blake’s progress since first meeting him four years ago.

“You wouldn’t want your worst enemy to have this, it’s so debilitating,” he said.

“Blake has a real will and drive to be here.

“He keeps pushing through, you just hope that there’s some light at the end of the tunnel.”

Blake Dridan with Nick Riewoldt. Riewoldt's sister, Maddie, died aged 25 of bone marrow failure syndrome. Picture: Supplied

Supplied Editorial Blake Driden

Mr Dridan said his plans for “a little fundraiser with Roosy” two years ago snowballed into the fully-fledged charity, with ambitious plans to bankroll medical research into bone marrow failure.

Roos, who now runs a business helping companies improve their corporate cultures, had been checking in on Blake’s progress fighting the disease since first meeting him.

Roos said it was awe-inspiring to see so many sporting identities support such a good cause.

“I think, overwhelmingly, being in footy for a long period of time, I understand the importance of using your profile to help people,” he said.

Roos has designed a leadership program for front line workers, including emergency services volunteers, volunteer firefighters, nurses, paramedics and Indigenous support workers.

Bone marrow transplant recipient Blake Dridan, from Ballarat whose father, Luke, is starting an ambitious medical fundraising charity, Blake’s Army, with the backing of some prominent sporting and business figures. Picture: David Caird

For every $2000 in donations the charity receives, an eligible volunteer or worker will qualify to take part in the leadership program.

Mr Dridan said he hoped the leadership program would both help the charity’s fundraising efforts and would support volunteers and emergency services workers who have given so much to the community during the bushfires, floods and pandemic of the past two years.

Most of the money Blake’s Army raises will go to Maddie Riewoldt’s Vision, the charity set up by the Riewoldt family to raise money for medical research into bone marrow failure, while a small portion will go to families supporting loved ones suffering through the years of brutal medical treatment they have to endure.

For more information, or to donate, go to: blakesarmy.org.au