Blood Donation - A Drop of Love for Humanity

Entering the third year of holding blood drives, GKDI BEKASI continues its partnership with Building Management Plaza THB and PMI Kota Bekasi to keep helping collect blood donations for humanity at the event held last Sunday, August 13, 2017. This blood donation activity was also part of the series of events welcoming Indonesia's 72nd Independence Day held by GKDI BEKASI.

This event, which is held twice a year, has gradually become better known among residents around Harapan Indah and Taman Harapan Baru as well as the people of Bekasi. It is no surprise, then, that the donors are not only church members, but are now increasingly dominated by local residents.

This humanitarian activity was originally inspired by what GKDI Jakarta was doing, so the idea arose to hold the same event in Bekasi. When this idea was presented to PMI Kota Bekasi, the people involved were very enthusiastic.

It was not easy at the beginning of holding this humanitarian activity, because both the congregation and local residents needed to be educated on how West Java is the province most in need of blood bags. According to Alma Luciaty, Deputy Chair of the Service Division of PMI West Java, 955 blood bags were needed for West Java alone specifically in 2017.

"West Java's blood stock has only reached 454 thousand bags. It is still only 45 percent of the total need."

Bekasi is one of the cities in West Java that already has a UTD (Blood Transfusion Unit) and is expected to be able to accommodate and educate its people to donate their blood.

"Donating blood is even good for the donor's health." he added.

What makes GKDI Bekasi continue to be actively involved in this humanitarian activity?

"Because this is what Christ Jesus would surely do. As Christians, we need to be sensitive to humanitarian needs. Not only the needs of the local church. If a church cares only about its own congregation, then it will be difficult for it to become a church that is in accordance with Christ's will. We need to become a solution to the social problems around the local church." said Rev. Enrico Sitompul when interviewed by a reporter from one of Bekasi's local media outlets.

If a church cares only about its own congregation, then it will be difficult for it to become a church that is in accordance with Christ's will.

GKDI BEKASI routinely holds blood drives in two different months each year, in February to welcome Valentine's Day and in August to welcome Independence Day.

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