Connections

Linden Chuang
Public relations editorial assistant

"It takes someone special to give blood." That is the slogan of the Australian Red Cross Blood Service and 41 staff members and students on Avondale College's Lake Macquarie campus have responded to the challenge.

The Red Cross brought its Mobile Donor Centre and a simple message to campus this past Wednesday (April 2). "Donating blood will save the lives of three people tomorrow," said Red Cross official Stacey Anderson.

Of the 40 Avondale staff members and students who volunteered, several were first-time donors who said they were just glad to help. "I've wanted to give blood before but wasn't able to," said first-year student Dina Sefo. "So, this time, I really, really wanted to go." Dina's brother, David, was also keen to volunteer. "There was a little bit of pain but it's nothing when you're saving a life," he said.

The Red Cross hopes even more staff members and students will take the same initiative when the Mobile Donor Centre returns in second semester. "It was a good turnout," said Anderson, "but we could have seen more people this morning."