Blood Drive
October 2023 Blood Drive Results
Thank you to all who turned out to donate blood for our Semi-Annual Blood Drive. We had 50 people go through the history process and we were able to collect 41 units of blood. 9 people were deferred for medical reasons. The blood that we collected will help up to 123 Hospital Patients. Every donor can save 3 lives. A special thanks to Jadz Kelly for manning the check in desk and Adele Long for running the canteen. Our next drive will be March 11, 2024 so mark your calendars (especially our double red donors).
Have a safe and blessed rest of the year,
Denise Porcasi
Blood Drive Coordinator
GIVE BLOOD at St. Blase
Pint-Sized Facts
* The entire donation process takes about an hour, including registration and a mini-physical
* One unit of blood yield red cells, platelets, and plasma to benefit up to three patients.
* Less than 5% of eligible adults donate blood.
* There is no substitute for blood.
* Only you can help save another life
For more information about donating blood, please visit the American Red Cross website.
For more info about becoming a bone marrow donor, please visit the Be The Match website.
Heal The Sick by John Thavis, Catholic News Service, VATICAN CITY (CNS)
Top Vatican officials encouraged blood donation, saying it was a powerful and practical way to carry out Christ’s command to heal the sick. Pope Benedict XVI, addressing pilgrims from his apartment window June 12, sent special greetings to blood donors everywhere. He said Christians should find inspiration for blood donation in Christ, who “redeemed us with his blood.” Cardinal Javier Lozano Barragan celebrated Mass near the Vatican with several hundred blood donation volunteers. In a sermon, he asked why people should give blood.
The answers are many, he said. For one thing, despite millions of donors each year, the world does not have enough blood to meet medical needs — especially in poorest countries.
Many give blood out of a sense of solidarity or compassion for the sick, he said. But for Christians, donating blood should have another special meaning.
“Christ gave to his disciples a specific mandate: ‘Heal the sick’”.
Beyond solidarity and natural compassion, there is this mandate of Christ, whom we obey with our innermost nature by giving blood. This is a great satisfaction, fulfilling from our hearts Christ’s command to give health,” Cardinal Lozano said.