wfn.org | UCC members pass the plateletes at Synod

[powellb@ucc.org]

United Church of Christ
General Synod 24
July 14, 2003
newsroom@ucc.org
http://www.ucc.org

By Tim Kershner

MINNEAPOLIS?Several years ago, the Rev. Barbara Brown Zikmund's son's life
was saved through a blood transfusion. Since then, she has made it a point
to donate regularly and encourages others to donate as well.

This week during the UCC's General Synod 24 in Minneapolis, Zikmund, a
church historian and former president of UCC-related Hartford Seminary in
Connecticut, was one of the first to sign up to donate blood at the daily
Red Cross bloodmobile.

In an outpouring of support, delegates and visitors have been lining up and
lying down to give blood. According to the Rev. Kathleen C. Ackley,
Executive for Volunteer Ministries, more than 200 units will be collected
before the close of Synod on Tuesday, July 15. She says the number of young
people donating blood has been especially encouraging. And on Saturday,
most of the members of the Ohio delegation, one of the largest at the
Synod, showed up to donate, giving the blood drive a jump start towards
their goal.

The blood drive also supports two resolutions under consideration by the
delegates. One endorses the donation of blood and body parts during life
and at death as Aan act of Christian generosity and stewardship. A second
resolution supports organ and tissue donation, and encourages members to
discuss these choices with family members so their instructions will be
carried out.

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