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**John Paul II Encourages Blood Donors

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**VATICAN CITY, JUNE 13, 2004 (Zenit.org).- John Paul II encouraged Catholics to donate blood as a gesture of “high moral and civic value,” when World Blood Donor Day is observed Monday.

After praying the midday Angelus today, the Pope referred to the motto of this year’s World Day, “A Gift of Life,” and made his appeal.

“To give one’s blood voluntarily and for free is a gesture of high moral and civic value,” he said. “May donors, who deserve everyone’s gratitude, be present in all parts of the world.”

The official Web page of this World Day (www.wbdd.org) states: “More than 80 million units of blood are donated every year, but only 38% are collected in developing countries where 82% of the global population live.”

“Yet evidence from around the world demonstrates that voluntary unpaid donors are the foundation of a safe blood supply because they are least likely to transmit potentially life-threatening infections, such as HIV and hepatitis viruses, to the recipients of their blood,” it adds.

Monday has been selected as World Blood Donor Day by three major organizations working for voluntary blood donations: the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies; the International Federation of Blood Donor Organizations; and the International Society of Blood Transfusion.

These organizations have been joined by the World Health Organization, which is co-sponsoring the event.

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[Bonvivant]

Thanks for the post Laddo. I emailed it to all my friends. My son-in-law works for a blood center in Milwaukee.

Bill

 

[Malachi4U]

I started giving when I became RC. Our parish has a couple of blood drives after mass each year.

 

[Servulus]

I gave my 49th pint today. I’ve considered it an act of charity, but didn’t know the Holy Father had commended it. Thanks for the update.

 

[gomer_tree]

Lord help me, I can’t do it. After a long absence, I decided a coouple years to try again, because I know how good it is to do. Like a fool, I went with a bunch of people from work. I ended up with cold packs on my face, my feet elevated, and two people making sure I wasn’t dying.

Yes, I’m a wuss.

But it doesn’t end there. When I finally came around, they brought me to the snack table. Halfway through the snack, I passed out. Once again, I was carted off to the side with cold packs on my head.

Meanwhile, the fine folks from the office were on their cell phones giving a play-by-play to all our friends at work.

I’m really a wuss.

But it doesn’t end there. I upped my life insurance a while ago. Of course, they needed a blood sample. Mind you, this is two small tubes that needed to get filled - nowhere near the bag they fill at the blood drive.

After one tube, I was out. Whammo. She was finally able to get the rest with a pediatrics needle, as I was - you guessed it - in a recliner with my feet elevated and a cold pack on my head.

I’m really, really a wuss.

Am I cool, or what?

I figure that I am called to help humanity in a number of ways, but this isn’t necessarily one of them.

 

[Michael_C]

I give blood and it’s comforting to know the Holy father supports it.