Artaban de Lacharriere fell 15m down a cliff thanks blood donors for ’saving his life’

Artaban de Lacharriere, who fell 15m down a cliff between Manly and Freshwater Beach and had to endure six surgeries, is thanking blood donors for ‘saving his life’.

They say what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger – and no one knows this better than Artaban de Lacharriere.

Last November, Artaban fell 15m down a cliff between Manly and Freshwater Beach.

The 15-year-old Riverview student endured six surgeries after the fall and credits blood donors and quick-thinking first-responders for “saving his life”.

Australia Red Cross’s Lifeblood estimates that just 3 per cent of the eligible population currently donates blood – that is just over 560,000 active donors who maintain the blood and plasma supply for our population of almost 27 million.

Artaban de Lacharriere had a huge fall from the Queenscliff rocks (in background) earlier this year and required a large blood transfusion. He is now thanking blood donors. Picture: Richard Dobson

New donors are crucial to continue to meet the growing nation’s needs, with a donor currently needed every four minutes in Australia. Lifeblood is now calling for 100,000 new donors in the next 12 months to prevent a blood shortage.

And, after seeing how donations saved his life, Artaban has urged all eligible Aussies to roll up their sleeves.

“It doesn’t matter how much blood you give, it’s about helping other people and making sure they live in good health,” he said.

Artaban’s mum, Antigone Mitterrand, said there was nothing worse for a parent than seeing their child forced to fight for life, and urged all Australians to consider donating blood.

“We will all face at one point a situation where you or someone you know needs blood,” she said.

The family are now planning to donate blood together to help save another person’s life.

Originally published as Artaban de Lacharriere fell 15m down a cliff thanks blood donors for ’saving his life’