9 February 2008

“U Can 2,” Adventist Church in Australia tells nation

Seventh-day Adventists throughout Australia are appealing to the nation to donate blood to the Red Cross Blood Service in the lead up to Easter this year.

Adventists in the country will be visiting the local Red Cross Blood Service donor centres throughout February and March to help meet the 21,000 donations Australia needs every week.

“As Christians, we decided to donate blood during the Easter period in remembrance of Jesus who died and shed his blood in order to save humanity,” says Pastor Chester Stanley, president of the Adventist Church in Australia. “However, donating blood is something most people can do, and so we want to appeal to every Australian that ‘you can too’.”

Dubbed the "Ucan2" campaign, the donations by Adventists in the lead up to and during Easter will meet the increased demand for blood and blood products over the public holiday period.

“Of course, Adventists will continue to donate blood regularly after Easter too,” says Pastor Stanley. “One in three Australians will need blood or blood products during their lifetime. Adventists have a commitment to serving the community.”

Television ads urging the public to donate blood during Easter are currently being aired on most metropolitan and regional channels. For more information, visit the Ucan2 website.

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For further information, to receive photos or arrange an interview, contact:
Melody Tan
Phone: 9847 2222
Email: melody [at] adventistmedia [dot] org [dot] au