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This Press Release may be read online at: https://www.unitedsikhs.org/PressReleases/PRSRLS-12-06-2009-00.htm

Press Release: 12^th June 2009, Friday         28^th Jeth (Samvat 541 Nanakshahi )

Press Release

ARE YOU THE GIVING TYPE? O+, A+, B+, AB+, O-, A-, B-, AB- Be a Hero, Register Today, to Donate Blood When You Can

 

London, UK, Toronto, Canada; New York, USA: To commemorate World Blood Donor Day on June14^th, UNITED SIKHS has joined Sant Anoop Singh Ji, head of the Bhai Kanhaiya Sevapanthi Centre, UNA, India, and collaborated with the UK National Health Service (NHS), the World Health organization and Canadian Blood Services to register blood donors in the UK, Canada and the USA. We are issuing a challenge this year to the Sikh community to pledge their share of blood in their countries. With over 700,000 Sikhs in the UK, 500,000 Sikhs in the United States, and 400,000 Sikhs in Canada, our goal is to register 14,000, 12,500, and 4,800 respectively by the same time next year. Register Now and donate when you can and join a community of heroes!

Registering to give blood does not mean that you must donate right away; rather, we are looking to gather members of our community around the globe to dedicate themselves to giving in the future. Visit the registration page of the UNITED SIKHS chapter nearest you to learn more and sign up today!

As the Sikh population grows throughout the world, so does the need for increased participation from the Sikh community in their respective countries. And the need is stronger than ever. In the United States, for example, someone is in need of blood every two seconds. In Canada, another life is saved every sixty seconds thanks to blood donors. And, in the United Kingdom, the 2.1 million life-saving procedures performed every year would not have been possible without blood donations. Giving just one pint of blood truly does give life. One blood donation can save three lives!!

Kuldip Singh, Director, UNITED SIKHS, encourages participation from the Sikh community, “As a part of the Sikh mission of service for all, registering as a blood donor is an essential service as it is a precious gift of selfless generosity.”

Donating Blood: Myths v. Reality Myth: I’m too busy to donate blood. Fact: You don’t have to donate blood until you are ready and have the time. Donating blood is so simple and fast, it can be done on your lunch hour! The actual process of donating blood takes between 10-12 minutes, with the entire appointment, including filling out forms and a physical, taking under an hour. Myth: Diseases can be spread through the donation of blood. Fact: Donating blood is completely safe. Each donation is taken with an individual, sterilized needle and donation bag. After one-time use, all needles are discarded, and therefore no diseases are spread. Myth: I don’t think I have enough blood to donate. Fact: The average person has between 10-12 pints of blood, and the body replaces the lost fluid within 24 hours of donation. Myth: The needle they use is big and really hurts! Fact: Other than the initial prick, donating blood is painless, and is over in a few minutes.

“We will expand our campaign and hope to cover more countries where Sikhs live, within a year,” he added.

To give succour to the donor registration campaign in the UK, a mega keertan (devotional singing) event is being held at the Sri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara Southall, London, on 13^th and 14^th June.

This event will be led by the Jathedar of Akal Takhat, Singh Sahib Giani Gurbachan Singh, and Sant Anoop Singh Ji , head of the Bhai Kanhaiya Sevapanthi Centre, UNA. For more details, click here.

“Sant Anoop Singh Ji wanted to do something with the British Sikhs that would benefit our homeland, Britain, directly. We are British and this is a cause for our people of all races and religions living here in Britain,” said Reuben Singh, a key organizing committee member of the event.

Lilet Raffinan of the Canadian Blood Services commended the Sikh community’s dedication to the cause thus far, and encouraged continued participation: "The Sikh community has always been supportive of the blood drive clinics in the community and those in the area simply because they believe in such worthy causes. The Sikh community’s commitment ensures that it is available to every Canadian that needs it. This is a reason why the Sikh Community has consistently engaged in blood drives and should continue to do so." For more details on donating blood at a center in Ontario, on 20^thJune, click here and for a center in the USA on June 28^th click here

Register Now to be a part of the UK drive.
Register Now to be a part of the USA drive.
Register Now to be a part of the Canadian drive.

You may read a previous press release on UNITED SIKHS community advocacy and empowerment at: https://www.unitedsikhs.org/PressReleases/COMVCE-30-05-2009-00.htm

Issued by:
Pushmeet Kaur, Diviapreet Kaur, Megan Collelo and Amneet Singh
Sikh Aid
UNITED SIKHS
Email: sikhaid@unitedsikhs.org
+44 7709830442 (UK); 1-888-243-1690 (USA) ; 1-905-672-2245 (Canada)

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