Faithful Gather to Donate Blood to Mark World Blood Donor Day

By Kim Dongnam

Email, thecoastnewspaper@gmail.com

More than 90 participants gather at Kenya National Blood Transfusion Centre headquarters on June 14, 2026 to practice Christ’s love reflected in the New Covenant Passover.

In celebration of World Blood Donor Day (June 16), the World Mission Society Church of God (General Pastor Kim Joo-cheol, hereinafter the Church of God) held the “1,900th Worldwide Blood Drive to Give Life Through the Love of the Passover” at the blood centre in Nairobi on Sunday (June 14).

This event was particularly meaningful as it marked the 1,900 anniversary of the blood drive that the church had continued to carry out for over two decades. Through the conduct of the blood drive to help patients whose lives are at risk due to blood shortages, the church helps promote the culture of voluntary, non-remunerated blood donation and the value of sharing life.

A representative from the Church of God explained, “Two thousand years ago, the night before Jesus Christ was sacrificed on the cross, He celebrated the Passover with His disciples and established the new covenant through the bread and wine symbolizing His flesh and blood with the promise of forgiveness of sins and eternal life.”

He added, “Our members have come together to participate in the blood drive as a way to practice sacrifice and love according to the example of Christ. I hope our donated blood will substantially help our neighbors in need.”

The Passover is one of God’s festivals, which implies that disasters pass over.

Some 90 people, including some members of the church, their families and neighbors, participated in the blood donation event that started around 10 a.m.

The participants underwent a pre-donation health screening, having their blood pressure measured and blood samples taken for testing. A total of 45 participants donated 21,600ml of healthy blood, supporting efforts to share the gift of life.

Kenya National Blood Transfusion Centre regional manager Festus Koech expressed his gratitude to the participants, saying: “Seeing so many young people and families turn up early in the morning to donate blood out of pure love for their neighbors is incredibly inspiring. One single donation can save up to three lives, meaning the impact of today’s event will be felt by families all across Nairobi. We thank the church members for their selflessness.”

Since its launch in Korea in 2005, the blood drive has been held a total of 1,744 times, attracting over 315,000 participants, approximately 136,000 of whom have successfully donated blood.

One blood donation can save up to three lives. Therefore, their blood donations have saved an estimated 410,000 precious lives.

The Church of God has engaged in a wide range of social contribution activities for local communities. In May, too, the church donated blood at Regional Blood Transfusion Centres in Mombasa and Kisumu.

The church also provided food supplies to underprivileged people in Starehe, as well as fishing boats, nets, and other equipment to small-scale fishers in Homa Bay, to give them hope as part of its “Hold Hope!” campaign.

The World Mission Society Church of God is a global church that has been established in over 7,800 locations across 175 countries.

With 4 million members, the church believes in God the Father and God the Mother according to the Bible and obeys the truth of the new covenant of the early Church.

Following the teaching of Christ—“Love your neighbor as yourself,” the church has carried out approximately 47,000 social contribution activities in six key areas: climate change response, poverty and hunger alleviation, educational support, health and well-being, support in creating sustainable cities, as well as peace, inclusion and solidarity.

In recognition of its contribution to global harmony and development, the church has received more than 5,800 awards from governments and institutions around the world. The awards include the President’s Volunteer Service Award from four U.S. administrations, the Presidential Citation from three ROK governments, the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service (UK), Brazil’s Legislative Merit Medal, the Medal of Honor of the Congress of the Republic of Peru, and the Antonio Brack Egg National Environmental Award—the highest environmental recognition bestowed by the Peruvian State.