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

The St. Blase Blood Drive holds blood drives periodically in the Hospitality Center. American Red Cross guidelines suggest you can donate every two months. Start now to prepare yourself to donate by eating healthy. Look for the sign-up sheets in the near future! Please consider donating blood at St. Blase. For more details call the parish office, 268-2244.

* An adult body contains 8-12 pints of blood
* 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

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.