Abp John Wong donates blood at the St Michael blood donation drive campaign. ( Photo courtesy of Dr Freddie )
By JJ/SOCCOM Penampang
Mar 10 2021
PENAMPANG – St Michael’s Church parish has a surprised donor turning up for their parish blood donation drive campaign Mar 7. Archbishop John Wong turned out to be the first donor at 9.00 am shortly after the boot was opened for the blood donation drive.
The charity initiative was organized by St Michael’s Parish Human Development in collaboration with Queen Elizabeth Hospital and Penampang Red Crescent Society for their quarterly calendar year activity. The blood donation drive took place at St Michael’s parish hall.
Despite the SOP restrictions, this first campaign of the year in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic successfully collected 48 pints out of 52 registered donors, which exceeded beyond the targeted 40 pints.
This time around, the success of the drive was accorded to more awareness among the people. The campaign attracted donors involving different races and cultures, and from all walks of life, including scores of youngsters.
Assistant priest Fr Gilbert Marcus also took his turn to donate after celebrating the first reopening of the Bahasa Malaysia 10.30 am Mass which has been suspended for a period. He was joined by several other catechetical teachers who turned up for their first physical committee meeting in preparation for the reopening of Sunday school.
The blood donation campaign at St Michael Church has now gained its momentum as regular donors from many parts surrounding the district are turning up to participate in every drive.
Blood donation drive campaign serves as a way of motivating regular blood donors to continue giving blood, and to motivate people in good health who have never given blood to begin doing so, particularly young people. The parish continues to advocate for voluntary blood donation as this is the most effective way to stock up the hospital blood bank.
