By Tate Papworth
The Caroline Springs Football Club community is rolling up its sleeves and donating blood to give thanks for a mate’s life being saved.
Mitch McLean, a member of the club’s senior side, was horrifically injured in a marking contest during a June 15 match against Werribee.
McLean suffered internal bleeding and had his right kidney removed after the incident.
Caroline Springs Football Club vice president Matt Kropman said blood donations saved the young player’s life.
“Mitch has recovered well and has returned to work now, but during his five-day stay in hospital, Mitch was given multiple units of life-saving whole blood,” Mr Kropman said.
“So we as a community really wanted to do something to give back.”
Last Monday, 10 senior players from the men’s and women’s sides, along with club officials, rolled up their sleeves and donated blood.
“It was a really successful night,” Mr Kropman said. “I guess part of it was to say thanks and give back, but we also wanted to attract new donors. We had seven new donors on the night and we’ve also had a number who couldn’t make it on the night who have since donated. Mitch is also really keen to donate. He’s got to wait a few months before he’s able to.”
Mr Kropman said support from other clubs had also been overwhelming.
“We were playing against Werribee on the day and we’ve even had some people from them share how they’ve donated,” he said.
“I gave blood myself and just a few days later I got a text saying it had been used on a patient at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, so it just shows how quickly it’s needed.”
Donate: donateblood.com.au
