[Cheonji Ilbo, Chungbuk = Correspondent Na-ri Hong] “I feel proud to be able to do good to others by giving blood at a young age.”

Shincheonji youth volunteer group 'We Are One', Cheongju branch, held its 'Live ON Youth ON' blood donation campaign in Yeongdong, Cheongju on the 31st. Earlier on the 30th of last month, We Are One, a youth volunteer group with a membership of 90,000, launched by Shincheonji Church of Jesus, started a nationwide group blood donation with a target of 70,000 donors.

The event hosted by We Are One, Cheongju branch, was held at a bloodmobile provided by Chungbuk Blood Centre of the Korean Red Cross. Members who participated in the event actively participated in donating blood in the bloodmobile.

Byeong-ho Park, a 26-year-old male and member of We Are One, Cheongju branch, who participated in the blood donation campaign that day, said, “I volunteer because I believe that this blood donation by 70,000 people is a great opportunity to demonstrate the power of young people to Korea and the world.” He said, “In the past, I was more interested in gift items like film passes, but I don’t want them anymore and want to gift what I believe will be of greatest help to the country. A sincere desire to serve comes from one's mindset.”

The youth who participated in the blood donation campaign were united under the belief that donating a portion of their blood can benefit the community and the world.

Sang-mi Park, a 31-year-old female, said as she was getting off the bloodmobile after donating blood, “I feel that people around the world were helped through our blood plasma donation, so I found the courage to take on this challenge.” With a smile, she said, “That's why I donated my blood.”

At a time of difficulty for blood supply levels, this campaign has drawn attention since its launch in August. According to the Blood Management Headquarters of the Korean Red Cross, blood supply and demand is influenced by the seasons, but a crisis has emerged due to the recent re-transmission of the new coronavirus (COVID-19) and to weather conditions such as the overlapping of heat waves and heavy rains. Statistically, in August, the blood supply drops from an average of 5 to 3.5 days, nearing the 'caution' stage.

Hye-sook Heo, head of the Chungbuk Blood Centre of the Korean Red Cross, said, “Currently, there is a difficulty in blood supply levels due to the ongoing COVID-19 infection and heat waves. We Are One is playing a role in demonstrating the 'power of volunteers'.” She added, “As there are five blood centres in Cheongju alone and as this wave of blood donation continues into the future, I hope that many people will participate.”

Yo-han Bae, director of We Are One, Cheongju branch, who hosted the event, said, “We believe that, as members of We Are One, we should put the 'life of Jesus' into practice in the local community by following the teachings of the Bible. We are all participating in this blood donation campaign out of obligation as members of the community.”