Worldwide passover love, life love blood donation relay
As the demand for blood in medical settings continues throughout April, social awareness and participation in blood donation are becoming increasingly important to ensure a stable supply. In this context, the World Mission Society Church of God (General Pastor Kim Joo-cheol, hereinafter referred to as the "Church of God") held the "Worldwide Passover Love, Life Love Blood Donation Relay" on 20 April at the Windhoek and Oshakati branches of the Namibia Blood Transfusion Service.
A total of 78 participants took part, helping to promote the value of respect for life and ease local blood shortages. The term "Passover" in the event’s name refers to God’s feast, which signifies disasters passing over. About 2,000 years ago, on the night before His crucifixion, Jesus Christ established the new covenant of the Passover, promising eternal life and forgiveness of sins through the bread and wine representing His flesh and blood. The Church of God has continued these blood donation events for over 20 years as a way of practising Christ’s love and sacrifice embodied in the Passover.
The initiative has been carried out in 68 countries, including Korea, the United States, Germany, Brazil, Australia, and Zimbabwe, with approximately 136,000 people donating blood. Considering that one donation can save up to three lives, the campaign has helped save an estimated 410,000 lives. At 09:00, around 44 participants, including church members and members of the public, gathered at the Windhoek branch of the Namibia Blood Transfusion Service. After completing pre-donation procedures such as questionnaires, blood pressure checks, and blood tests, they proceeded with the donation process. A total of 23 participants donated 10,350 ml of healthy blood.
The Namibia Blood Transfusion Service Windhoek branch expressed gratitude for the Church of God’s efforts by providing medical staff support and refreshments. Frieda Vatileni-Asino, Education Officer, visited the site and said, "We applaud the community of the Church of God for sacrificing their time and donating blood, with each donor potentially saving three lives." She further stated, "It is indeed an amazing initiative."
Lea N. Ameya (23) said with a smile, "I hope more citizens will join in blood donation to help save lives."
At the same time, church members and members of the public at the Oshakati branch of the Namibia Blood Transfusion Service donated 6,750 ml of blood.
On the previous day, 19 April, volunteers also cleaned a 1.5 km stretch of Eugene Kakukuru Street in Rundu, Kavango East Region, contributing to a cleaner urban environment and continuing their efforts to serve the local community.
