63 Heroes Made Donations and Will Save Up To 180 Lives at the Volunteer Ministers Spring Blood Drive

63 everyday heroes donated the gift of life at the Church of Scientology Volunteer Ministers Spring Blood Drive for One Blood (formerly Florida Blood Services). End Quote

Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL (1888PressRelease) May 21, 2013 - They came from all walks of life, young people, older people and all points in between, all with the purpose of helping save the lives of people that they would never meet. Sixty-three people in total donated a pint of blood at the most recent Church of Scientology Volunteer Minister's blood drive for OneBlood (formerly Florida Blood Services). The event was held on Saturday in downtown Clearwater.

"One man, riding by on his bicycle, stopped when he saw the signs because he used to make donations in Orlando and he wanted to donate here," said event organizer and the Church of Scientology's spokesperson Pat Harney. "We had another woman arrive who has been donating blood regularly who just feels that it is the right thing to do, and it is a very good thing to do."

"Only 37% of the people who live in the US are eligible to donate," said Ms. Harney, "and only 10% of those actually do, so every donation really counts!"

The drive took place adjacent to the Church's headquarters in downtown Clearwater and was open to people of all faiths. The Volunteer Ministers of the Church of Scientology of Tampa also facilitated the event.

Once the units of whole blood have been donated, One Blood tests each donation. The donation can be further broken down into three elements - red blood cells, platelets (a part of the blood that plays an important role in the clotting process) and plasma, which are then used to help people overcome specific ailments.

"Blood donators are the quietest of heroes," said Ms. Harney. "For twenty minutes out of their day, they can save up to three lives. It's not flashy. It doesn't require superhuman strength or another other than a person just wanting to help."

"The Church of Scientology here in Clearwater has been doing 3 - 4 blood drives every year for over 20 years," said Ms. Harney. "Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard wrote 'People are important. Big or small, they are important.' Whether they realize it or not, these donators represent a great faith in humanity and our native ability to care for each other."

The Scientology Volunteer Ministers began a little more than 30 years ago after an appeal by Mr. Hubbard, who wrote: "If one does not like the crime, cruelty, justice and violence of this society, he can do something about it. He can become a Volunteer Minister and help civilize it, bring it conscience and kindness and love and freedom from travail by instilling into it trust, decency, honesty and tolerance."

Volunteer Ministers can be of any faith. To learn more, Ms. Harney invites you to go to www.volunteerministers.org.

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