Over 90 000 Shincheonji Church of Jesus members from around the world will volunteer to donate their blood in an attempt to set a world record, while also serving their communities in replenishing dwindling blood reserves globally.
This will be their second international large-scale blood donation drive this year.
Msizi Magwaza, a spokesperson for Shincheonji in South Africa, says: “Our members are very excited to help the Western Cape Blood Service, and also the various blood services around the world to enlarge their reserves after facing challenges caused by the recent pandemic.”
Magwaza says in May this year approximately 20 000 of Shincheonji’s members donated blood worldwide, which included 600 members from South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe.
“In South Korea, the church’s donation drive was recorded as the largest group blood donation in that country to date,” he says.
Record-breaking donation effort
The Red Cross awarded Shincheonji with a special certificate acknowledging this record-breaking donation effort. “It was like rain during a drought. We are surprised that the number of donors exceeded 6 000 in just three days, and even thousands more participated. We appreciate their life-saving dedication,” Namsun Cho, head of the Red Cross Blood Services, says.
According to Marike Gevers, public relations manager for the Western Cape Blood Service (WCBS), their O-blood stock is still critically low with only a two-day blood supply. She urged donors, especially those who are O-positive and O-negative to come and donate.
“If you know you are O-positive or O-negative, please come out and donate. You are the universal donor. So, we need your blood, but also other blood groups.”
Gevers says that the WCBS needs at least 700 units of blood per day to meet demand. The blood service is urging the public to help them by donating blood in order to secure at least the required five-day blood stock level.
Attempt to set a Guiness World Record
Between 12 and 26 September, members of Shincheonji attempted to set a Guinness World Record with more than 90 000 churchgoers globally donating their blood. More than 700 members in Southern Africa have also participated and shown unity with this noble cause.
“We are so happy to join our fellow congregation members from countries all over the world to show that we are one, through caring for our various communities and helping those who need blood due to various medical reasons,” said Magwaza.
“Hopefully we will also set a world record.”
