WHEN Cameron Tofful turned nine in July, he had more reason to celebrate than some.
The Tyntynder boy owes his life to blood donors from across Australia.
In his short nine years, Cameron has already celebrated a century milestone, recently undergoing his 100th blood transfusion.
Cameron suffers from a rare blood disorder experienced by only four other people in Australia.
Known as congenital dyserythropoietic anemia (CDA), the disorder affects the development of red blood cells, characterised by a shortage of the cells that prevent the blood from carrying an adequate supply of oxygen to the body’s tissues.
He has a blood transfusion every four weeks, and is just one example of the millions of people helped through programs like the Red Cross mobile blood service. It is literally his lifeblood.
Cameron’s mother Gayle said a donation of blood was invaluable to those it helped, and avidly encouraged those who were able to donate.
“People need to think about giving blood because it may be your child or loved one that needs the next life-saving blood transfusion,” Ms Tofful said.
“Someone like Cameron is dependent on it for the rest of his life — either he has the transfusions or we don’t have him.
“Because of the transfusions, he is a healthy nine-year-old and he plays little athletics, tennis, badminton, all because of the generosity of blood donors.”
More donors are always needed, with whole blood donations safe to be made every 12 weeks.
Plasma and platelet donors can donate as often as every two to three weeks.
“Cameron is A+, but we have sometimes had to resort back to O+ because there is just not enough blood in the blood bank,” Ms Tofful said.
“As he gets bigger he will need more blood. Now he has two units, about 350ml, but as he gets older he will need more.”
One in three Australians will need blood in their lifetime, however just one in 30 currently donate.
The Red Cross mobile blood service is in Swan Hill until Tuesday. It returns to the area every three months.
Each donation can save three lives, with people suffering from cancer and blood diseases, surgical patients and road trauma victims just some ways your blood could be used.
The mobile collection centre will be in Curlewis Street, opposite the train station.
Visit donateblood.com.au or call 13 14 95 to make an appointment.
