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Sikhs Organize Nationwide Blood
Drive
WSN Network
 FREMONT: With the Sikh Youth of America in the forefront and many
well known Sikh forums and organisations participating
enthusiastically, the First National Sikh Blood Drive, is all set to
create history of sorts as Facebook groups pop up on te internet,
gurdwaras participate in the cause and word spreads about the
community work in keeping with the intrinsic spirit of sewa and
sacrifice enshrined in Sikhism.
The drive is dedicated to the memory of the fifth Sikh master, Guru
Arjan Dev Ji, whose life as the world's foremost example of
sacrifice has inspired generations of Sikhs for centuries now and
who is seen as a great spiritual leader by people of all religions.
Starting on June 21, Sikh Youth of America will organize the "First
National Sikh Blood Drive" to help overcome the blood shortage faced
by the nation. In order to achieve this goal they have joined hands
with various blood collection agencies including American Red Cross
and Blood Centers of America.
Sikh Youth of America is a nonprofit organization that has been
working with young Sikhs to help them develop leadership skills for
the past 25 years.
The blood drives will be held at several locations in various states
including California, Texas, New Jersey, New York, Michigan,
Massachusetts and Indiana. "This is a great example of the Sikh
spirit of serving others in time of need", said Jasjeet Singh, a
prominent member of the Fremont Sikh community. "We have always
thought of ourselves as an integral part of America and have eagerly
stepped forward whenever the nation has needed us to do so,"he
emphasized.
Incidentally, the Fremont Gurdwara will be a prominent center of
activity. Its website already features a poster exhorting the Sikhs
to donate blood for community's cause.
"We have held several blood drives at individual locations before
too", said Harjot Singh Khalsa, President of the Gurdwara (Sikh
place of worship) in Fremont, CA. "However, we decided to make it a
coordinated nationwide effort this year, after receiving calls from
various blood agencies about the shortfall in blood donation," he
said.
 "Sikhs will be donating their blood to honor Guru Arjan Dev Ji, who
was tortured and killed after refusing to convert to Islam in 1606
in Punjab, India", said Harsimran Singh, leader of Sikh Youth of
America, from Central Valley, CA. "Along with honoring Guru Arjan
Dev Ji, we will also be remembering those who gave their lives in
the struggle for a free Sikh homeland", added Sandeep Singh of
Modesto. Central Valley Sikhs have scheduled two blood drives, one
in Stockton, CA and the other in Modesto, CA and are hoping to add
two more in July in Sacramento, CA and Livingston, CA.
Satnam Singh Khalsa, Secretary of the Fremont Gurdwara, explained
that by going nationwide we want to raise awareness among other
Americans about Sikhs and their way of life. He wants to encourage
members of other communities to join Sikhs in this blood drive.
As part of the second phase of the blood drive, main event is
planned to be held in Yuba City, California, where thousands of
Sikhs gather in November for the Annual Sikh Parade. "We want to
hold the biggest ever California blood drive that day", said Nirpal
Singh, President of Sikh Youth of America for Bay Area.
For more information, contact Jot Preet Singh Sahi, National
Coordinator, Sikh Youth of America at jpsahi@yahoo.com or
510-872-5987
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First National Sikh Blood
Drive takes off
WSN Bureau
 London,
UK, Toronto, Canada; New York, USA: As part of the ambitious Sikh
Nation Blood Drive to commemorate World Blood Donor Day on June 14,
the United Sikhs came out strongly to contribute its mite and joined
Sant Anoop Singh Ji, head of the Bhai Kanhaiya Sevapanthi Centre,
Una in 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," a statement from the community non-profit
said.
With over 700,000
Sikhs in the UK, 500,000 Sikhs in the United States, and 400,000
Sikhs in Canada, the Sikh nation's goal is to register 14,000,
12,500, and 4,800 respectively by the same time next year.
Registering to give
blood does not mean that one must donate right away; rather, it
results in gathering members of the community around the globe to
dedicate themselves to giving in the future.
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 said, “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. We will
expand our campaign and hope to cover more countries where Sikhs
live, within a year,” he added.
To give succor to
the donor registration campaign in the UK, a mega keertan
(devotional singing) event was held at the Sri Guru Singh Sabha
Gurdwara Southall, London, on 13th and 14th June.
 This
event was 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.
“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."
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17
June 2009
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