[Cheonji Ilbo Ansan = Correspondent Jeong-ja Kim] “The participation of volunteers in this blood donation campaign will make a great impact on the local community and serve to deliver a message of hope”

An official from the Central Seoul Blood Centre spoke these words while witnessing the blood donation campaign by the youth volunteer group 'We Are One'.

Shincheonji Youth Volunteer Group We Are One, Ansan branch (Seoul-Gyeonggi province) (Director Dong-ho Lee) launched a blood donation campaign on the 1st and 2nd in Ansan Hwarang Amusement Park area in Gyeonggi province.

The volunteer blood donation campaign held by We Are One, Ansan branch (We Are One, Ansan) was launched in Hwarang Amusement Park, and will continue to be held at Handae Blood Donor Centre and Sanbon Blood Donor Centre operated by the Korean Red Cross until the end of September.

All members of We Are One, Ansan exhibited order as they donated blood and even volunteered to do so before any appeal was made by the blood donor centre, mitigating any potential delays. This seemed to rouse interest and conversation among locals.

Over two days, more than 600 people participated in the blood donation campaign held at Hwarang Amusement Park and Ansan Blood Donor Centre.

Prior to this, Dong-seok Kim, director of Central Seoul Blood Centre, who attended a blood donation event in Seoul last month, said, “I know that Shincheonji Church of Jesus has become a light to the world through its many volunteer activities such as the ‘Visiting Health Doctor’ and ‘Green for Nature’ programmes.” He said, “A relationship has been established with the blood centre since 2018 and they have been actively volunteering to give blood.”

In addition, he said, “During a time of crisis resulting from COVID-19, close to 6,000 members donated their blood plasma, and 19,000 members donated their blood in a short period of time, which is an unprecedented act of love shown through sharing life. Thank you to all who are participating in this life-sharing movement.”

Dong-ho Lee, head of We Are One, Ansan said, “The Shincheonji Youth Volunteer Group 'We Are One' rushed to the flood disaster site in August when the area around Ansan was flooded. We are trying to practise true love for our neighbours.”

He then promised, “Since the youth of Shincheonji understand the value of life through God and Jesus, we will continue to be a light to the Ansan region and create a beautiful youth culture through various volunteer activities.”

Bok-hee Lee (female), who participated in the We Are One blood donation campaign, said, “I would not have thought of doing this if something like the We Are One campaign, which saves lives, did not exist. I am happy and grateful that I can do so.”

Meanwhile, We Are One Youth Volunteer Group, which is actively addressing the national blood supply crisis, was launched on July 30th with a membership of about 90,000 youth from Shincheonji Church of Jesus (70,000 in Korea and 20,000 overseas). By the end of September, about 70,000 members in Korea will have donated blood at blood centres and blood banks.