Chairman Man Hee Lee of Shincheonji Church of Jesus, the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony (hereafter referred to as “Shincheonji Church”), received a commendation from the President of the Korean Red Cross at the “2025 Blood Donor Day” commemorative event held on June 13th.

This award was presented in recognition of Chairman Lee's long-standing contribution to promoting a culture of blood donation and stabilising the blood supply. The commendation was received on his behalf by the General Planning Director of the church.

The 2025 Blood Donor Day event, jointly hosted by the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Korean Red Cross in celebration of World Blood Donor Day (June 14th), took place at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul. The event was organised to express gratitude to blood donors and raise awareness about the importance of donating blood.

Under the spirit of Chairman Lee’s teaching - “Just as we receive life freely from heaven like the light, rain, and air, let us love our neighbours and share what is precious without hesitation” - Shincheonji Church has considered blood donation as the most direct form of life-giving volunteerism and has consistently practised this for over a decade.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the church launched a nationwide blood donation campaign to help overcome the blood supply crisis. In 2022 alone, more than 96,000 members participated in blood donation. Notably, “We Are One,” a youth volunteer group of Shincheonji Church, garnered global attention by setting a Guinness World Record with 71,121 people signing up for blood donation online within just 24 hours. This achievement was recognised as a meaningful civilian-led act of goodwill in response to a global blood shortage crisis.

In 2023, the church enhanced accessibility by operating mobile blood donation buses for university students during summer holiday, working professionals during summer holidays, and travellers during Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving Day). It also implemented cultural engagement activities such as blood donation photo zones, red challenges, and Reels campaigns to appeal to the MZ (Millennial + Gen Z) generation.

Shincheonji Church has not only encouraged participation but has also contributed to society through donation vouchers and blood certificate donations.

Over the past 4 years, approximately 210,000 participants have generated a donation fund equivalent to KRW 930 million (approx. GBP 500,000), which has been fully allocated to medical expenses for vulnerable groups, scholarships, and emergency relief, contributing to life-saving projects.

Additionally, the church has actively donated blood donation certificates. Over the past 3 years alone, thousands of certificates have been delivered to numerous hospitals and institutions, including:-

5000 to the Korean Red Cross Blood Services Headquarters

3000 to the Daejeon-Sejong-Chungnam Blood Centre

3012 to North Jeolla Provincial Government

3000 to the Korea Association for Children with Leukaemia and Cancer (Daegu-Gyeongbuk Branch)

2000 to Daedong Hospital

The blood donation activities of Shincheonji Church and its volunteer group We Are One have received numerous commendations from regional blood centres nationwide, reinforcing public trust.

Since 2022, the church has received more than 15 awards, including:

- A commendation from the Director of the Korean Red Cross Blood Services Headquarters

- Commendations from regional blood centers across Busan-Gyeongnam, Seoul-Gyeonggi, Daejeon-Chungcheong, Gangwon, Incheon, Gwangju-Jeonnam, and Daegu-Gyeongbuk

In 2024 alone, both individual and group commendations have been awarded across multiple regions including Gwangju-Jeonnam, Jeonbuk, Seoul-Gyeonggi (4 regional associations), Daegu-Gyeongbuk, Gangwon, Incheon, and Busan-Gyeongnam, further solidifying the church’s reputation as a trusted civilian religious organisation.

A representative of Shincheonji Church stated, “As those who have received new life through Jesus, we strive to live a life of sharing that love with our neighbours. This blood donation initiative is the essence of our faith, and we will continue building a positive cycle of giving back to society through blood donation.”