Unite for life: Namibian blood drive breaks records
Replenishing critically-low blood stock
The event sought to inspire the youth to save lives through blood donation.
The Namibian Blood Transfusion Service (NamBTS), the Shincheonji Church of Jesus and Khomas Region governor Laura McLeod-Katjirua recently joined forces for a successful blood drive.The event aimed to replenish critically-low blood stock and inspire the youth to actively engage in the noble act of saving lives through blood donation. Facing an alarming shortage, NamBTS made fervent appeals to the public, and Shincheonji volunteers responded to encourage the community.
“Be the reason for someone’s heartbeat,” McLeod-Katjirua said.
Volunteer Dr Estee Joubert shared first-hand experiences of how blood shortages profoundly impact patients, and emphasised the practical manifestation of Jesus' teachings to love and care for one another.
McLeod-Katjirua further highlighted the significant impact of donor contributions, stating that a single donation has the potential to save three lives. Stressing the crucial role of blood in community health, she shared staggering statistics - that blood is needed every two seconds, and that it is involved in one in every seven hospital admissions.
62 donations
Expressing excitement and gratitude to be part of the collaborative effort, the governor commended the youth's active involvement in the Shincheonji Church and their commitment to God's work.
The blood drive exceeded its goal of gathering a minimum of 50 blood donations, ultimately collecting more than 62 donations during the event. NamBTS marketing officer Frieda Vatileni shared that this accomplishment translates to saving more than 150 lives.
Despite the success, NamBTS emphasised the need for continued support, revealing that only about 1% of Namibians donate blood. The appeal resonated with a powerful message: Let us extend love to everyone, recognising that our shared blood can unite us.
McLeod-Katjirua concluded the event by expressing gratitude to NamBTS for consistently raising awareness about blood shortages and eagerly anticipating participating in Shincheonji volunteers’ future social projects.
This collaborative effort, fuelled by the youth's commitment to making a positive impact, exemplifies the power of unity in addressing critical community needs. It not only broke records, but also highlighted the potential for positive change when diverse groups come together for a common cause.