Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church Of Christ) members in the Local Congregation of Milan, Ecclesiastical District of Italy North held a blood donation drive on August 31, 2024 for the benefit of one of the oldest hospitals in Italy, the Policlinico of Milan. It is the city’s public general hospital, situated along Via Francesco Sforza.

Through this blood donation, “we had the opportunity to help others,” said Brother Jan Bryan Barcebal, resident minister, who spearheaded this one among other INC Giving projects that the local congregation has set to conduct this year.

Brethren-donors first underwent screening before the actual donation that yielded 5,400 milliliters (ml) of blood.

Few of those qualified were first-time donors. “They were nervous at first but with their fellow brethren encouraging them and the aim to unite in their mind, they were able to donate blood,” Joey Celestino, Light of Salvation congregation officer, attested.

“I feel very good having donated blood and be of help to others in their need,” expressed Ivan Mcnicol Oracion, KADIWA member. Not only feeling fulfilled, “the brethren, at the same time, were able to keep their health in check,” said Juvy De Guzman, Christian Medical Dental and Paramedical Society officer. — With reports from Kate Luistro of INC News Section