Information Service of
the Serbian Orthodox Church
May 9, 2003

DEAR BROTHERS AND SISTERS,

Christ is risen!

We would like to inform you that the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church launched, together with the Institute for Blood Transfusion of the Republic of Serbia and Red Cross, the drive of the voluntary blood donations today, on the Blood Donators Day. The aim of this drive is to provide a sufficient amount of blood for all the sick and injured in Serbia.

We invite all the faithful of the Serbian Orthodox Church and all the citizens of our country, aged 18 to 65, to take part in this God-pleasing charity drive, to go to the closest blood transfusion ambulance and donate blood, the only medicine without substitution, the medicine which cannot be produced in artificial manner. Blood donation is utterly safe, does not create addiction, is not painful and is not harmful to the organism but just the opposite: it is very beneficial, since it stimulates the work of bone marrow. Women can donate blood at three-month interval, and men every four months. This is also a unique chance for you to determine your blood type and Rhesus factor, as well as to check your health, since every potential blood donator is subjected to a medical check-up before donating blood. Blood donation is a voluntary action, free and anonymous. Red Cross confers special recognitions to multiple blood donators. Voluntary blood donors get exemption from the payment of certain duties for medical services, and each voluntary blood donator is a voluntary associate of the medical service.

Daily blood needs amount to app. 1000 blood units in Serbia, out of which app. 400 to 450 units should be provided for the medical treatment of the sick and injured in the Belgrade hospitals.