Over 150 people, including some members of the Church and local residents in Bacolod, participated in the Blood Drive to Give Life Through the Love of the Passover.
The World Mission Society Church of God (General Pastor Kim Joo-cheol, hereinafter the “Church of God”) held the Worldwide Blood Drive to Give Life Through the Love of the Passover. This blood drive, held in celebration of World Blood Donor Day (June 14), is part of the “Hope Challenge” with the aim of delivering hope all around the world, which marks the 60th anniversary of the Church. Since last month, the blood drive has been continuously being conducted in many countries, including the United States, Argentina, Bolivia, and Mongolia. On July 7, it was held in Bacolod, Negros Occidental.
Around 9 a.m., some people began to gather at 888 Chinatown Square Premier Mall in Bacolod City. About 150 people were assembled together, wearing fluorescent vests and smiling brightly. They were some members of the Church of God, their families, friends, and neighbors. People from all walks of life, including young adult workers, housewives, and university students, took the lead in saving lives through participation in voluntary non-remunerated blood donation. On that day, 51 people successfully donated 22,950 ㎖ of blood, which helped alleviate the local blood shortage. In addition, they conducted an awareness-raising campaign by creating their own placards to inform the citizens, who were arriving and leaving the shopping mall, about the value of blood donation.
Bacolod City Vice Mayor EL Cid Familiaran, Council Kalaw Puentevella, DOH Bacolod Representative and some members from Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office were also present at the event, making it even more meaningful. The opening ceremony took place at 10 a.m., and then the blood drive began in earnest. Bacolod City Government, Philippine Red Cross Negros Occidental-Bacolod City Chapter, and some of the local companies actively supported the blood drive by providing venue arrangements as well as snacks and bottled water. The Church of God also stationed ushers throughout the venue to ensure that a health screening and blood tests would be performed smoothly. Some citizens, arriving and leaving the shopping mall, sympathized with the blood donation activity and participated in the pre-donation screening process.
The Church of God’s Worldwide Blood to Give Life Through the Love of the Passover, which started in 2005, is based on the Passover love of Jesus Christ. On the Passover, the day before He was sacrificed on the cross, Jesus promised the forgiveness of sins and eternal life through the bread and wine representing His flesh and blood. Imitating Him in His spirit of love and sacrifice, the Church of God has been carrying out the Blood Drive to save the lives of others all around the world for over 20 years. This year alone, the Blood Drive saw over 1,500 participants from different parts of the country, including Cagayan de Oro, Pagadian, Cebu, Laoag, and Mandaluyong.
Additionally, the Church implements many other volunteer initiatives such as environmental cleanup, tree planting, and visitation to welfare facilities, contributing to the country and society. The Church also carries out the following campaigns globally: Plastic Footprint Removal as part of climate change response, Forest of Hope, and 365 Footprint of Hope (daily practice), in addition to the Blood Drive that contributes to the field of health promotion, as part of the Hope Challenge. In recognition of its altruistic endeavors, the Church has received over 230 awards—Certificates of Recognition, Plaques of Appreciation, and Certificate of Appreciation—from Vice President, Members of Congress, Secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Secretary of the Department of Health, Governor of Laguna, Mayor of Manila, Chairman of the Philippine Red Cross, Executive Governor of the International Council of Environmental Law (ICEL), etc. They are showing their support for the Church’s activities. The Church of God celebrates its 60th anniversary this year. 3.7 million members of the Church in 175 countries believe in God the Father and God the Mother, striving to achieve happiness and peace for our global village. The Church has volunteered 28,000 times. Through various volunteer activities, the Church performs the role of salt and light. The Church has received more than 4,600 awards, including the Presidential Volunteer Service Award from three U.S. presidential administrations, the Presidential Award from three ROK governments, the Legislative Merit Medal of Brazil, and Certificate of Recognition and Commendation Medal from President of the Congress of Peru.
