Logo

 

Banner Image:   National-News-banner-Purple
Template Mode:   Baptist Times
Icon
    Post     Tweet

Blood donor increase from churches 

New research reveals impact of fleshandblood campaign; much more still needed

There has been a 77 per cent increase in the number of local churches that talk about blood and organ donation since 2012, new research has found, as well as an upsurge in donors from the Christian community.

The increases have been attributed to the fleshandblood campaign, the first initiative between the Church and NHS. The campaign began in 2012 in association with a number of denominations, including the Baptist Union of Great Britain.

The campaign witnessed "widespread support across churches, community groups and from government ministers, with more than 35,000 church leaders across the country having been resourced and registering some of the most successful recruitment drives for new donors in the history of NHS Blood and Transplant", according to a statement released today.

Highlighting the advocacy and support of UK churches, the research found that close to 10 per cent of Christians gave blood in 2014, compared to around 4 per cent of the general population who have given blood in the last two years.

The research was released by fleshandblood to coincide with World Blood Donor Day (14 June). It's the first time the day has fallen on a Sunday since 2009, and churches are using the opportunity to raise awareness of blood donation needs among the estimated six million regular churchgoers in the UK.

The push comes in response to figures released last week by NHS Blood and Transplant, revealing that 40 per cent fewer new volunteers came forward across England and North Wales to give blood last year compared to a decade ago.

BaptistsTogether300Last week church denominations, including the Baptist, Methodist, URC and Anglican churches also took part in NHS Blood and Transplant’s own #missingtype campaign during National Blood Week by removing the letters A, B and O (the letters that make up the blood groups) from their logos to help raise awareness for the need of new donors.

Writing for the Church of England, the Bishop of Carlisle, Rt Rev James Newcombe says: 'When you visit a donor session, the smiling nurses who attend to you and put you at ease actually take 10% of your body’s blood volume. A perfect tithe…

'I do hope that many more who call themselves followers of Jesus may choose to offer a tithe of their blood as a gift to strangers whom they will never knowingly meet as a natural act of faith, asking in return only a cup of tea and a digestive biscuit.'

The research was conducted by Christian Research in December 2014, among a representative sample of UK churchgoers, and compared with a corresponding Christian Research survey in December 2012, prior to the launch of the fleshandblood campaign.

The fleshandblood campaign directors are Matt and Juls Hollidge of the Kore creative agency and members of Shoeburyness and Thorpe Bay Baptist Church.


 

Baptist Times, 14/06/2015
    Post     Tweet
Ripples of Change - a service of celebration and thankfulness
A service has been organised to mark the role Jane Day served in our Baptist family as Centenary Enabler, combining thankfulness for the progress made, as well as a time of lament for many of the findings of Project Violet. Lisa Kerry explains more
I Will...Leave a lasting legacy
The Baptist Union of Great Britain with BMS World Mission have now launched a new church resource to help those considering an ongoing blessing to support God’s mission both in the UK and overseas
Church planting: a national perspective on God at work
A report from the latest meeting of the The National Church Planting Network, which aims to spot emerging trends - and seek God’s direction together for the future of church planting in the UK
Calling previous members of the Joppa Group
Were you a member of the Joppa Group? Do you have historic papers about it? An invitation-based roundtable event is being co-convened to mark the 40th anniversary of the group's founding. Paul Weller explains more
Graduation for Baptist local leaders course
The first cohort of students on a two year course designed to help Baptist church members deepen their understanding of faith and develop skills in ministry and mission has graduated
New Brian Haymes book launched
Contributions and Struggles: Some Theological Contributions brings together a selection of Brian's essays and sermons, edited posthumously. It launched at a thanksgiving service for Brian's ministry and life
     Latest News 
    Posted: 04/06/2025
    Posted: 21/05/2025
    Posted: 07/01/2025
    Posted: 07/01/2025
     
    Text Size:  
    Small (Default)
    Medium
    Large
    Contrast:  
    Normal
    High Contrast