FMSS would like to acknowledge the Kaurna people, the original custodians of this land, and recognise the relationship between Indigenous people and the lands and waters of the Adelaide Plains, on which we learn and grow every day.
Recently, FMSS supported the Australian Red Cross’ urgent need for blood and plasma donations through our annual Vampire Cup initiative. In 2022, FMSS’ Vampire Cup blood donation drive had a significant focus on promoting local MD talent and Adelaide small businesses. This initiative provided MD students a platform to showcase their skills to their peers, brought diversity into our pool of prizes and increased incentive for donations.
The following Flinders medical students were gracious enough to donate to this cause; Jacqueline Li-Xin donated handmade mugs, Andrew Baldwin donated his hand-sculpted platter, and Grace Mackenzie donated delicious homemade cupcakes. Thank you to our local businesses including Happenstance Distillery and TJ Smith Premier Gym who also donated generous prizes.
Due to the ongoing effects of COVID-19 there were some major setbacks in donation statistics Australia-wide, with the national number of donations dropping by approximately 700. However, Flinders University improved by 2 donations in comparison to last year’s numbers, an incredible achievement! Thank you to the talented and dedicated FMSS team for making this event so successful over the course of the 6-week period, including Sam, our junior AMSA Rep, Lydia and the marketing team, Mahadya and the social media team, Jasmine and the community team and Leila from Australian Red Cross Lifeblood.
The Vampire Cup doesn’t end here! If able, make sure to continue to roll up your sleeve for those in need, as together we can make a huge difference to so many individual lives.
Flinders Medical Student Society – AMSA Representative
