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2026 Worldwide Blood Drive to Give Life Through the Love of the Passover
A Wave of Life-Sharing Spreads Across 23 Countries
At the entrance of a blood donation bus, Sarang-i, the official mascot of the Worldwide Blood Drive to Give Life Through the Love of the Passover, welcomed participants as they prepared to donate blood. With its adorable gestures and friendly appearance, the mascot helped ease participants’ nerves and brought smiles to their faces, while also drawing the attention of citizens and raising awareness of the importance of blood donation.
The Worldwide Blood Drive to Give Life Through the Love of the Passover was held intensively in 23 countries throughout March and April. Organized around the time of the Passover Sacred Assembly, the campaign was carried out to follow the humanitarian spirit of Christ contained in the new covenant, saving lives in crisis and practicing love for neighbors.
In Korea, demand for blood is rising as the number of patients increases due to various factors, including the aging population, while the supply is struggling to keep pace. Plasma, which is used to treat diseases, remains chronically insufficient, leading Korea to import some supplies from other countries. Kim Han-gyu, Director of the Gyeonggi Blood Center of the Korean Red Cross, welcomed the event and expressed concern over the current situation. “Blood supplies usually increase after winter, yet the appropriate reserve level has still not been reached,” he said. Many countries overseas face similar challenges. Due to negative perceptions of blood donation, insufficient donation infrastructure, and other factors, blood supplies remain unstable in many parts of the world.
To help address these challenges, blood drives were held by region throughout Korea, including in Seoul, Busan, and many other areas. An average of about two hundred participants attended each event, and regional blood centers under the Korean Red Cross provided blood donation buses. Members who were deemed eligible through electronic health screenings boarded the buses and donated blood in order under the guidance of nurses. Some members made special efforts months in advance, managing their health through diet, nutritional supplements, and other means so they would be able to donate blood. After donating blood, members also donated their blood donation certificates, hoping that more people would overcome life-threatening crises and enjoy healthy lives.
Overseas, the life-sharing relay continued in the United States, India, Mongolia, Mexico, Zimbabwe, Benin, Germany, and other countries. With the cooperation of blood donation organizations such as the New York Blood Center (NYBC), the National Blood Service Zimbabwe, and the Nepal Red Cross Society, members donated blood and helped raise public awareness of blood donation.
Public officials and leaders from various sectors expressed their support for the members’ humanitarian efforts. At a blood drive held at the Yangju Church, Kang Su-hyeon, Yangju City Mayor, said, “It is very impressive to see members voluntarily taking part in blood donation. Your dedicated participation is making a great contribution to protecting precious lives and creating a society full of love.” Lee Jae-yong, Director of the Seoul Central Blood Center of the Korean Red Cross, who attended the blood drive hosted by the Gangnam Western Church Region, said, “Your practice of sharing life is a great source of strength to patients who need transfusions. If the culture of blood donation continues to spread, the value of sharing will multiply.” Federico Arevalo Jun Cabailo, a councilor of Calapan City in the Philippines, said, “I am grateful to the Church of God for its efforts to save lives through blood donation. I hope that through continued cooperation, even more lives will be saved.”
Maria Anália, a member from Rio Branco, Brazil, who participated in the blood drive held at the Centro de Hematologia e Hemoterapia do Acre [HEMOACRE], said, “I am happy to practice God’s love through this meaningful blood donation that helps save lives in urgent need.” Song Young-bo, a member from Seoul, said, “A coworker of mine once overcame a crisis during childbirth after receiving about one hundred units of blood. One person’s blood donation can save three lives, but sometimes the donations of many people are needed to save just one life. That is why I will continue to participate in blood donation.”
Hosted by the World Mission Society Church of God, the Worldwide Blood Drive to Give Life Through the Love of the Passover began in 2005 and has surpassed 1,800 events this year, with the participation of churches in 67 countries. As of April 2026, a total of 324,883 people have participated, including 140,656 blood donors, with 56,262,400 milliliters of blood collected in total. The life-sharing relay, which has continued for more than twenty years, will continue in countries around the world.
