CHARLOTTE — Some of our local parishes have been providing opportunities for the faithful to bestow literal gifts from the heart to help those in need: the gift of their blood.
Did you know that every two seconds someone in the United States needs blood? Patients of all ages need blood donations – accident and burn victims, patients undergoing heart surgery or organ transplants and those battling cancers can receive lifesaving medical care thanks to blood donors.
Helping to support this ongoing and vital need for blood, St. Mary Mother of God Parish in Sylva and St. Therese Parish’s Knights of Columbus in Mooresville are among those that recently hosted blood drives to support the American Red Cross. More than 60 people participated in the blood drives, with a total of 65 pints collected – potentially saving 260 lives! Pictured are members of St. Mary Mother of God Parish at their blood drive.
These blood drives are one way our parishes have participated in “50 Acts of Charity,” a diocesan-wide initiative to manifest the love of God to others through charitable acts, in celebration of the Diocese of Charlotte’s 50th anniversary.
Visit www.redcrossblood.org to learn more about participating in or hosting a blood drive to help save lives in our community.
— Photos provided by Susan Szarek
