Social - Activities

Symbiotic mutualism. It's what has been felt for the frequent blood donors...

Blood donor participants/ Photos: Doc.A drop of donated blood, besides can help others, also beneficial for the health of the donor him/herself. Not surprisingly, donating blood has now become a necessity for everyone.

The donors themselves are not only by personal, but various agencies and community groups have also done so. Like this house of worship community of the Gereja Santapan Rohani Indonesia (GSRI, or the Church of the Spiritual Blessings of Indonesia, ed.) Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta.

To celebrate their 54th anniversary, GSRI Kebayoran Baru held a blood donor event, on Saturday (12/3). This blood donor event was the third time held by the church that is located on Jl. Wijaya I No.23 Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta. The blood donation was conducted from 08:30 to 12:00 a.m.

A drop of blood, beneficial for allAs usual, every donor will fill out a form provided by PMI (the Indonesian Red Cross, ed.). After that, the donor will be examined their health, blood and body weight. Once declared healthy, then they were sent towards the donor room. After the blood donation, donors would also get a variety of foods that had been provided by the committee.

Since 2010, GSRI Kebayoran Baru has held blood donor events. Even in 2011, the blood donations have carried out twice, in April and December. This time, the blood donation was attended by 42 people, while in 2010 followed by 62 donors. Meanwhile, the April 2011 donation was followed by 75 donors.

The blood donation carried out by GSRI Kebayoran Baru was actually not only destined to their parishioners only, since the general public could also participate in it. Not surprisingly, in the blood donation that was held last Saturday, many participants came from outside the church.

Good for the donor's healthAccording to Datu Rumengan, one of the blood donor committee members, the lack of participants this time was because it was held on Saturday. Usually, Saturday is a holiday, so many were reluctant to leave their homes.

"It has actually been increased, but then because it's Saturday, many people don't come," said Datu Rumengan to TNOL.

Datu Rumengan admitted, the blood donation was a new program being rolled by the GSRI Kebayoran Baru's parishioners to help others. The idea popped out from some of the parishioners who frequently donate their blood. "It's a good thing to make it as a routine activity," Datu explained.

To help others, continued Datu, has not only limited to blood donors. On each anniversary of the church, they have also held some social services by providing various assistance to the residents around the church. Sharing, Datu said, is one form of human effort in perfecting their gratitude to God. (Sbh) (ms)