Now 15, cancer survivor Jillian Henrichsen learned at an all too early age the harsh realities of life.

Just prior to her second birthday the Summerland girl was diagnosed with a cancer called retinoblastoma.

Although she did lose her right eye, luckily only a single surgery was necessary to remove all of the cancer.

害羞草研究所淏ecause I was so young I really don害羞草研究所檛 remember much, I have only one eye now but I grew up with that,害羞草研究所� said Henrichsen, a Grade 11 student at Summerland Secondary School. 害羞草研究所淢y parents have always been very supportive and they害羞草研究所檝e never held anything back -害羞草研究所� they told me all my stories and were very clear about what happened to me, but now I have my life.害羞草研究所�

While growing up she has spent time at camps with other young people who have or had cancer. She learned one very important fact.

害羞草研究所淕etting to know other kids with cancer who wouldn害羞草研究所檛 have survived without blood made me see with my own eyes how important blood donation really is,害羞草研究所� said Henrichsen. 害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檝e met tons of kids there who had leukemia and so now some of my really good friends are leukemia survivors and one of the ways they were able to fight the cancer and beat it was blood transfusions.

害羞草研究所淥ne of my good friends had cancer when she was four so it害羞草研究所檚 not just adults, it害羞草研究所檚 saving a four year old害羞草研究所檚 life so she could actually have a life to live.害羞草研究所�

It can take eight units a week to help someone battling leukemia and it害羞草研究所檚 estimated 100,000 new donors annually are needed to meet demand.

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Although not able to donate blood herself (donors must be 17 or older) she decided to try and get as many other students as possible to make the trip to Penticton Friday for a Canadian Blood Services donor clinic.

害羞草研究所淚 figured if I can害羞草研究所檛 donate I might as well encourage others to. It went well, no one fainted,害羞草研究所� she said. 害羞草研究所淲e had 11 people but two couldn害羞草研究所檛 donate due to low iron, but nine were able to so that was pretty good for the first time.害羞草研究所�

How did she persuade other students to take part?

害羞草研究所淚 told people if you donate you can potentially be saving three lives and so for most people who donated that was enough,害羞草研究所� said Henrichsen who one day hopes to become a paediatric oncologist to treat children with cancer and blood diseases.

According to territory manager Gayle Voyer of Canadian Blood Services, recruiting new donors is critical, especially with the ever-increasing need for blood and blood products.

害羞草研究所淭hat害羞草研究所檚 why the high school program is so important,害羞草研究所� said Voyer. 害羞草研究所淛illian is a champion at her school. Her age didn害羞草研究所檛 matter, she just felt it was important and she害羞草研究所檚 happy to encourage others until she is capable of donating herself.

害羞草研究所淲hen we get a chance to share with students we ask them to look and see if their families have been impacted by someone with heart surgery or a cancer patient who needed blood and by donating this is a way of giving back.害羞草研究所�

The next blood donor clinic locally is Nov. 28 at the Penticton Senior害羞草研究所檚 Drop-In Centre. Appointments are required and can be made online at .