Shincheonji 'Live ON' blood donation campaign: “This is the first time in 30 years working at Gyeonggi Blood Donor Centre that I've witnessed a nationwide blood donation as impactful as that of Shincheonji Church''
✦ 6,000 donors from 74 churches nationwide
✦ Voluntary participation by members set until the 30th
✦ Red Cross employee: “I hope to see Shincheonji again”
[Cheonji Ilbo = Reporter Bo-Young Hong] “Typically, one or two blood bloodmobiles would suffice for blood donations by government centres or corporations, but Suwon alone now has four buses. This is the first time in 30 years working at Gyeonggi Blood Donor Centre that I've witnessed a nationwide blood donation as impactful as that by Shincheonji Church. Thank you so much.”
“It would be a lie to say there were no honest negative feelings towards Shincheonji members after the outbreak of Coronavirus cases at Shincheonji Daegu Church in 2020. However, despite the current Covid pandemic stabilising, they are serving society by donating their blood, so I see them in a very positive light.”
On the morning of the 18th, in front of a bloodmobile to the right of the Gyeonggi Blood Donor Centre, Tae-gyun Kim (30, male), a member of the Korean Red Cross blood donation development team, alongside a person in charge, briefed the members of Shincheonji Church, who came to donate blood, at a stall in Gwonseon district, Suwon city, Gyeonggi province.
Donors from Shincheonji Church were informed that the negative attitude towards them had resulted from the negative portrayal of Shincheonji by both the media and government following the outbreak of coronavirus cases, but that seeing them donate blood in person was significantly changing the general outlook.
According to the blood service headquarters of the Korean Red Cross, as of the 17th, the amount of blood held was 3.7 days, which is less than the required amount of five days, thereby bordering on the 'critical' stage of the current blood supply crisis. Blood must be stored for an average of 5 days or more for the stable medical activity. With the number of severely ill patients increasing as the COVID-19 epidemic continues, the need for blood is paramount. In addition, compared to pre-Covid times, at present, due to concerns about infection, the number of citizens leaving home has decreased, causing a disruption to blood supply. Under such circumstances, Shincheonji members, who heard the news about the shortage of blood, voluntarily participated to donate blood. Hyun-seok Mun (44, male), who said he took leave to donate blood, said, “I live in Geumcheon district, but I intentionally came here to make it convenient for locals who work here to receive a blood donation from the church. I hope it helps.” Sujin Lee (pseudonym, 27) also said, “I have been donating blood throughout, but there were times when I could not give blood because I was busy or forgot about it.” With a smile, he said, “I think this is good because it provides an opportunity to create a better state of mind and maximises time and induces the participation.” |
Some people came to take care of their health, fearing that they would be judged for not donating blood. Ki-young Kim (pseudonym, 26, male) said, “I usually sleep at midnight, but I slept an hour earlier yesterday.”
Members of Shincheonji Church did not only volunteer to donate blood, but 20-25 volunteers managed workstations and parking, as well as staffing as guides.
A photo zone was set up in the stall in front of the main entrance to Gyeonggi Blood Donor Centre. Donors rested on chairs inside the stall, took pictures, wrote messages of hope on the 'Live ON Tree', and hung them on branches.
Fruits shaped as hearts hanged from the tree. Messages that brought forth joy read: “It's been meaningful participating in giving blood”; “I am delighted to participate in saving lives”; “I pray that life can be passed on to many people”, “I've gratitude for life through these small actions I can take.”
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