The blood of more than 10,000 Brazilian Seventh-day Adventist youth runs through the veins of those who would perish without it. Young people gave and continue to give blood to save lives.
The blood of more than 10,000 Brazilian Seventh-day Adventist youth runs through the veins of those who would perish without it. Young people gave and continue to give blood to save lives.
As it draws close to the time of year when Christians reflect on the death of Jesus Christ some 2,000 years ago, there is a continent-wide expansion of a type of salvation project. The project, “Projeto Mais Vida,” organizes blood drives in communities throughout South America.
Adventist leaders in South America say the project started last year when a group of young people in South Brazil decided to carry out the project in recognition of the true meaning of Easter. Instead of exchanging chocolates, they encouraged their friends to donate blood. The community’s reaction was one of encouragement and eager participation.
“We have run out of collection bags. Please come back on Monday!” staff members at the Regina Hospital in Novo Hamburgo, Rio Grande do Sul, told an overflow of donors last year.
Young people involved with the project in the city of Dois Vizinhos, Brazil, visited Father Lessir Canan, the city’s Mayor Feb. 24.
“He was visibly touched with emotion after watching the video of the project,” reported Mitchel Urbano, coordinator of the project in Dois Vizinhos. Urbano also noted that the mayor complimented the youth and made his office available to cooperate with the blood drive. Stories like this are common. The project is so well-known in Brazil that schools, hospitals, supermarkets, radio and television stations are donating their time, space, staff and free advertising to help save as many lives as possible.
Project coordinators say this year the goal is to reach 100,000 donors. They added “Each donation prolongs four lives and renews yours.” Interest in the project is spreading rapidly across borders with blood drives all over Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay and Bolivia.
“Our goal is to make blood donation a reality during the entire year, making systematic and organized donations,” said Herbert Boger Júnior, the coordinator for Canoas, Rio Grande do Sul.
The plan is to make sure that each week of the year, groups of registered donors are invited to give blood. During the second half of the year, coordinators will also encourage registration of bone marrow donors.