The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ first blood drive with the American Red Cross was in April 1996 and is now being recognized by the organization for saving lives. Since partnering with the Red Cross, the Church has held over 37,000 blood drives, resulting in the donation of more than 1.1 million units of blood.
Being the largest Red Cross blood drive collaborator, the Church attracts thousands of volunteers every year all across the United States.
“This is just phenomenal,” said Gail McGovern, president and CEO of the American Red Cross, in a release on ChurchofJesusChrist.org. “I don’t think there is another organization that has saved more lives through blood donation.”
“We are so grateful for this deeply meaningful and long-standing partnership with the Church — and your members — who show a steadfast commitment to service,” McGovern continued.
On June 13, in a two-day event on Temple Square, the Church held a blood drive for employees working in the Church Office Building located in Salt Lake City. Volunteering at the event were Relief Society General President Camille N. Johnson and her second counselor, Sister Kristin M. Yee; and Sister Michelle D. Craig, first counselor in the Young Women general presidency.
“As disciples of Jesus Christ, participating in a blood drive is a heartwarming way we can reach out to offer relief to others,” said President Johnson. “It’s an opportunity for our members and our friends to all come together and bless the lives of our Heavenly Father’s children. This is one way in which we provide His relief to others to care for those in need.”
Over 200 employees participated in the blood drive, reported ChurchofJesusChrist.org, including Jeff Isom, managing director of the Church’s Publishing Services Department. “I’m grateful that the Church allows employees to do this,” Isom said. “I’ve been doing this for a lot of years, and I just enjoy the opportunity to sort of give to the community a little bit, help people in need.”
Others at the event included Brigham Young University–Hawaii President John S.K. Kauwe III and Jeremiah Lafranca, executive director of the Salt Lake City Chapter of the Red Cross.
“It’s always important to get involved in this type of service when you’re healthy and your body is strong,” said President Kauwe. “Take the opportunity to support others that need your physical strength.” President Kauwe also spoke about how amazing modern medicine is and the importance of making time to get involved and donate.
In April, the Church announced an $8.7 million donation to assist the American Red Cross in purchasing equipment, mobile blood donation centers and programs for those with cancer or sickle cell disease.
It also plans to assist the Red Cross with its outreach and blood collection operations.
In addition to the American Red Cross, the Church has also partnered with other organizations around the world including the National Network of Blood Banks in El Salvador and Provincial Red Cross of El Oro in Ecuador.
Gratitude in El Salvador
The Church carried out what was called “Altruistic Blood Donation Day” in El Salvador last month. Held on two consecutive weekends beginning May 20, volunteers donated a total of 490 units of blood. The blood collected will benefit roughly a thousand patients in El Salvador, reported the El Salvador Newsroom.
Dr. Ricardo Santamaría from the National Network of Blood Banks stated, “I wish to express my gratitude and satisfaction on behalf of the institution, as well as my admiration to the leaders and members of the Church of Jesus Christ, who constantly donate altruistically and voluntarily.”
He continued, “We managed to collect a good amount of blood. Thank you again for this excellent coordination and for the success of this donation day that will bless our Salvadoran brothers.”
Even though blood drives are held throughout the year, the drive the Church held was particularly special because it will benefit hospitals in six different departments in El Salvador, supplying 11 different national and regional hospitals, reported the Church’s El Salvador Newsroom. Some of those hospitals are located in Sonsonate, San Salvador, Santa Ana, Usulután, and San Miguel.
President Franklin R. Guevara, the second counselor in the San Salvador El Salvador Los Heroes Stake presidency, said of the event, “The Church of Jesus Christ is a benchmark for service, and with this type of activity, it is an opportunity to follow the example of Jesus Christ, to help and serve our neighbor, with actions of Christian love that save lives.”
Saving lives in Ecuador
On June 10, 81 pints of blood were donated to Ecuador’s Provincial Red Cross of El Oro, whose motto is “Donate blood and save lives.” This is the second campaign held this year.
The Church’s main objective with the blood drive was to increase the number of donors and also to create citizen awareness. “Through this altruistic and generous gesture of solidarity, lives are being saved,” the Church’s Ecuador Newsroom reported.
“Participating in the blood donation day was an extremely gratifying and significant experience,” said Virgilio Salcedo, a local ecclesiastical leader, “since it is an altruistic act that helps save lives and contributes to improving the health of those who need it.”
“During the day, I was able to witness the selflessness and generosity of the members of the Church who came to donate,” he continued. “It was inspiring to see how they generously contributed to this noble cause.”
Appreciation for donors in Peru
June 14 was World Blood Donor Day, which was first held by the World Health Assembly in 2005 and is now celebrated around the world. The day is meant to celebrate and give gratitude to donors around the world for their lifesaving blood donations, according to the Church’s Peru Newsroom.
“Blood is not manufactured in hospitals,” said Juan Almeyda Alcántara, from Peru’s Ministry of Health, who emphasized that volunteers for blood donations are vital because the blood cannot come from anywhere else.
Blood donations are needed throughout the world; however, in Peru specifically, there is a demand for nearly 400,000 donors every year.
The Church has helped Peru’s blood campaign by supporting and organizing multiple blood drives each year; by promoting education on donating blood through talks, workshops, and informational materials; and by collaborating with other health institutions specialized in blood donation.
