Gertrudes (left) with her supporter Regina as she donates blood - Photo: Gertudes Samson
“Please give blood, you can save someone’s life.” This is always the constant call of countries around the world. I took up this call to give blood. I am currently a lay missionary serving in Britain.
People are uncomfortable when they hear the word “blood.” But for Christians, our faith was founded in the blood of Jesus Christ. During the Eucharist, while partaking of the wine, we always say, “Blood of Christ. Amen!” as we pass the cup of wine to each person. Indeed! I believe Jesus gave His blood to save us all when He shed His blood on the cross. As for me, donating blood is my way of passing His love and blessing of healing to others. He is the one who inspired me to do it.
I passed that donation center a thousand times during my years in Birmingham. Ironically, it was only during a time of illness when my own blood became very low, that the sign in front of the donation centre to donate blood caught my attention. Despite feeling my energy being drained each day, and my concern that I may not finish my mission term, I always put on a cheerful face. Each time I passed that sign, I would say to God: “Lord, please heal me. How can I do my mission and serve you well if I am like this? Lord, when you shed your blood you saved us all. I prefer to shed my blood for a good reason too. Heal me please so I can donate my blood to save someone’s life.”
On that day, Regina and I prayed to God that everything would go well. This was my prayer: “Lord, let the blood that flows out of me be your blood that would channel your healing and blessing for those who receive it.”
Thanks be to God, He heard and answered my cry! He healed me! I believe through the power of the prayers of my relatives and friends, water from the spring of our Lady of Lourdes from France given to me by a friend, and with the help of my doctors I became well.
When I started to recover, and each time I passed the donation centre I would say to God, “Lord, thank you for healing me. I still remember my promise and what I said, that I would donate my blood and save someone’s life.”
Finally, with prayers, support and encouragement from my relatives and friends, I was able to gather enough courage to make my first blood donation. One of the instructions from the donation centre was to bring a book or a friend on the day of the donation. I asked my friend Regina to accompany me. I thank God for giving me a supportive and caring friend to accompany me.
On that day, Regina and I prayed to God that everything would go well. This was my prayer: “Lord, let the blood that flows out of me be your blood that would channel your healing and blessing for those who receive it.” I read an article that said a single blood donation can potentially save three lives. I was really amazed that my single donation could potentially save many lives.
After an initial blood test, the nurse told me that my blood was really good. The staff assured me and Regina not to worry and that the process would only take a few minutes.
I am so thankful to God that everything went very well. That night, I had a very good and restful sleep. A few days later, on my birthday, I received a thank you message from the donation centre informing me that my blood was ready to help a patient. It was a great birthday gift and blessing from God, both for me and for those who will receive my blood. Five days later, I received another message from them saying that my blood had been used at the King College Hospital. This hospital is where most victims of accidents are taken and the demand for blood there is always high. I was happy to know that my blood was taken to where it was needed the most.
Since I can donate every four months, I am praying to God to keep me healthy and strong to be able to donate again.
I thank God for the gift of health and that being healthy can help us to help others.
Columban lay missionary Gertrudes Samson lives and works in Birmingham, Britain.
