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THANKSGIVING BLOOD DRIVE BY PCS OF CHICAGO
Chicago, Nov. 29, 2010
R.S. Mago
The Punjabi Cultural Society of Chicago (PCS) in conjunction with Sikh Religious Society, Palatine, IL organized a very successful Thanksgiving blood drive on Sunday November 28, 2010, 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM, at the Palatine Gurudwara facilities. The special event was to give thanks to God for his gifts and give back to the community while celebrating Thanksgiving Day.
“This is our contribution to the society and the local community, we are part of this community as well, we fall sick and need to go to the hospital, and are given blood if we need it,” said Rajinder Singh Mago the coordinator of the blood drive and the president of PCS Chicago.
“I am here to donate because when my father was in the hospital, he received several blood transfusions, and someone must have donated that blood, I want to give some back,” said Baljit Singh Sidhu with moist eyes as his father had passed away last month.
“We drove here specially to donate blood, our donation is a form of our prayer for the well being of my grandfather Ujagar Singh Gill who is fighting with his life to stay alive as we speak,” said Sundeep Singh Gill who along with his sister patiently waited for more than an hour in line for his turn to donate blood. (Mr. Ujagar Singh Gill of Arlington Heights Illinois passed away a couple of hours later the same day.)
This Life Source blood donation camp was open to all. The expected target of the units of blood collection was easily met. Many donors who wanted to donate could not because according to the current blood bank rules, if the donor has visited India less than a year ago then their blood donation will not be accepted.
“We live and make our living here in this great country. Thanksgiving is a time to give back to the community, and share our fortunes with the needy. This is one of our tenets and our community is always at the forefront of service to humanity. One blood donation can save three lives. It’s a donation of life and a great personal satisfaction,” said Mohina Ahluwalia, PCS Chairperson.
The Punjabi Cultural Society of Chicago is a not-for-profit community service organization devoted to promoting Punjabi culture, language, performing arts, education, good citizenship, healthy life style, and sports in the metropolitan Chicago area. For further information please contact:
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