Giving Thanks for Central’s Blood Drive

The Results of Central’s Blood Drive
Following prayers, testimonies on Sunday, and more prayers, Central’s most recent blood drive was one of its most successful:

• 61 pints of blood were collected. Because one pint of blood — the amount in one regular blood donation — can help to save up to 3 lives, Central’s recent blood drive can help to save up to 183 lives.
• The Red Cross had set a goal to collect 55 pints based on Central’s past performance. We give thanks to God that we surpassed our goal, which does not always happen.
• This was one of the few Central drives in which the highest number of scheduled donors occurred on donation day. (Often that peak is reached a few days earlier; then cancellations outnumber new appointments.)
• Some donors stepped up to give a Power Red donation, which helped to make the best use of their blood.
• Some donors shared ideas about things they could do to expand the reach of Central’s blood drives.

Since 2014, Central’s 21 blood drives have collected nearly 1300 units of blood, which have helped to save nearly 3800 lives.

Living Out the Gospel
In addition to saving lives, Central’s Life Team, which initiated these blood drives, saw blood donation as an opportunity for us to live out the gospel — on a small scale, but in a very concrete way. As donors were giving a pint of blood to help extend the earthly life of three people, they were encouraged to reflect on the fact that Jesus gave all of His blood to save everyone — past, present, and future — who puts their faith and trust in Him. And this will save them for eternity! This idea brings to mind 1 John 4:19: “We love because He first loved us.”

An Invitation to Become a Blood Donor
Would you consider becoming a blood donor?

The need for donated blood is great. Every 2 seconds, someone in America needs blood. More than 38,000 pints of blood are needed in the United States every day. And blood cannot be manufactured; it must come from a human donor. For various reasons, only 38 percent of the population is eligible to donate blood. And of that 38 percent, only 8 percent actually donate. Therefore, 3 percent of the population is supplying the blood needed by all of us.

And whether or not you’re eligible to donate, please let other people know about the urgent need for blood and encourage them to donate. Proverbs 3:27 seems to provide a rationale for blood donation: “Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it’s in your power to help them.” (NLT)

In light of this great need and the great good that blood donation can do for others, please donate regularly, if you are an eligible donor. You can schedule a donation appointment at redcrossblood.org or by calling 800-RedCross.

We pray that you will be blessed as you bless others with your blood donations — and that God will be glorified in your efforts.