Rupert’s Story

By Vanessa Neems - reproduced with permission [2005]

(Photo courtesy of The Weekend Sun)

Maybe they're famous - like Abraham Lincoln or Sir Edmund Hillary - or maybe they're not.

Ten-year-old Rupert Gyton has nearly two dozen heroes he's never met, seen or heard of, but all of those New Zealanders are unsung heroes in his eyes because they saved the most important thing to him. His life.

Just over two years ago Rupert was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, which meant extensive chemotherapy treatment and eventually 22 blood tranfusions.

"The first time Rupert had a transfusion I could have cried buckets, because without that blood he would not be alive," says Rupert's mother Beverley.
World Blood Donor Day on June 14 is a worldwide celebration to honour and thank those who voluntarily donate blood to give the most precious gift of all - life.

Rupert finished treatment last July, after two years on and off at Starship Hospital, and now attends Greenpark School where he is involved with cricket and netball.

He wishes he could thank all those who gave the blood which saved his life and urged people to donate more for others in need.
"You don't realise how important it is (to give blood) until people actually need it," says Beverley. "When you save a child's life you realise how important it is that people do it."

The aim of World Blood Donor Day is not necessarily to attract a big influx of new donors on June 14, but to create wider awareness of the importance of blood donation and encourage people to become regular donors.

Some 80 per cent of New Zealanders will need blood or a blood product during their life, and with every donation saving up to three lives, the blood service is always on the lookout for new donors.

The New Zealand Blood Service (NZBS) is a national non-profit organisation which collects blood from volunteer donors for the treatment of patients across the country - from car accident victims and newborn babies, to burn victims and people with illnesses.

As part of World Blood Donor Day, NZBS is doing a range of activities, including recognising donors for giving blood and turning water in major fountains nationwide red to signify the quantities of blood needed daily.

Tauranga NZBS blood recruiter Toni Bieleski says 150-160 blood donations are needed in Tauranga each week, but the donations actually received vary greatly.

All blood types are currently needed from donors' aged between 16-60, weighing over 50kg, have had no body piercings or tattoos in the past six months, and did not live in the UK between 1980-1996 for longer than six months.

Just 470mls of blood is taken per donation, which the body replaces in 36 hours, with people able to donate every three months.
You can make an appointment to become a donor by calling 0800 GIVE BLOOD or contacting your nearest Donor Centre.