This Month's Story
Involvement in Ministry
Roger Fast
Donating blood is one of the most tangible ways in which a person can contribute a much needed and scarce resource to the community. Even though hospitals nationwide, including our local hospitals, are committed to reducing the use of blood transfusions, through “bloodless surgery” and other practices, there are many situations in which blood transfusions are still absolutely essential and life-saving.
Even though most adults have the physical capacity to spare one pint every eight weeks, blood is still a scarce resource. Many people are not eligible to donate, because of medical conditions or risk factors for blood-borne diseases. Others who are eligible to give, simply don't. The two most commonly given reasons for not donating are "I’m scared of needles" and "I never thought of it." Church sponsored blood drives are a way of overcoming the second reason.
Since 2008 our congregation has sponsored periodic blood drives for the Central California Blood Center. For those who are able, donating blood has been a fulfilling act of sharing. However, the percentage of our congregation that is eligible to donate is relatively low. One of our interesting characteristics as a group is that we are involved globally. Many of us travel to parts of the world where parasitic infections are common. Others have had hepatitis and various infections in the past. For these reasons, many of us are not eligible to donate. Even with these limitations, CCCMB has enough potential donors that we can give 15-20 pints on a given Sunday.
It is very encouraging to me that 
so many have expressed support and pride for our blood drives. I would like to give special thanks to two women who have been a real encouragement to me. First, Naomi Dyck is among the most faithful donors. Early on, when I wasn’t sure whether or not to schedule another drive, she asked me to please keep the bloodmobile coming. Second, at a low point one Sunday, when only 5 people were signed up to give, Deloris Friesen stood up in Adult Education and explained how blood transfusions may have saved her life when she was a young mother. Thanks to her words we had almost 20 donors that Sunday!
Thank you to all of you who have shared so generously of your blood so that others can live.