CAIR-Chicago Sponsors 'Muslims Care' Blood Drive

For the second time this year, selfless donors from a variety of backgrounds gathered in the Loop to give their blood to people who need it during a recent American Red Cross of Greater Chicago blood drive. The drive, sponsored by CAIR-Chicago and the United Muslims Moving Ahead (UMMA) of DePaul University, was held on Thursday, October 16, 2008. Thirty supporters went to the Downtown Islamic Center, located on 231 N. State, where they were welcomed by organizers from CAIR-Chicago, UMMA, and the American Red Cross. After receiving a mini-physical to make sure their blood was suitable and all of the requirements were met, 20 donors gave their blood to the American Red Cross.

Every drop of blood that was donated will be used to rescue patients who are dealing with major medical dilemmas, including those who are undergoing surgery for trauma or heart disease, suffering from bleeding disorders, enduring severe burns, and going through chemotherapy for cancer. According to the American Red Cross, every blood donor can potentially save three lives.

The blood drive is a part of CAIR-Chicago’s annual “Muslims Care” campaign, which was designed to motivate the American Muslim community to do more volunteer work that benefits every individual. People signed up online at www.givebloodgivelife.org and contacted CAIR-Chicago to lend their support and their blood.

Though the “Muslims Care” campaign’s initial focus is on Muslim volunteers, CAIR-Chicago's Outreach Coordinator Gerald Hankerson was pleased with the variety of people that came to donate blood. Hankerson, one of the organizers for the blood drive, considered the mixture of supporters to be a blessing. “It is wonderful to have people from all walks of life come together to help save the lives of others.”

CAIR-Chicago plans to sponsor more blood drives in the future.

Copyright © 2008 CAIR-Chicago