Students and alumni from the six residential colleges at University of New England, Armidale have combined to save 354 lives through a blood donation drive during July and August this year.

The drive was a great success with St Alberts being the most successful College with 35 donations saving 105 lives.

The drive ran through July and August 2019 and Blood Service representative, Stuart Ward said “ This is a critical time of year for the Blood Service as many of our regular donors are ill and cannot donate during the winter months and this year has seen a particularly nasty strain of flu affect donors Australia wide. The students of UNE stepped up to make 118 donations, mostly at our Armidale Donor Centre, and their support is most appreciated.”

Fewer people are signing up to become blood donors than they were eight years ago despite a growing and ageing population. Blood and blood products are commonly used and a donation is required every 24 seconds in Australia. One in three people will need donated blood at some point in their lives.

We encourage all people aged 18 years up to 76 years of age to step up, like the students of UNE, and register to donate at donateblood.com.au or by calling 131495.