Bridgeview Muslim group holds blood drive for needy

Chicago Muslim Community Gathering to Donate Blood During World-Wide Day of Giving March 31 at Aqsa School in Bridgeview, 7361 W. 92nd St

MARCH 22, 2017—CHICAGO—A Chicago non-profit that’s in the business of rallying those in the Muslim community to help make the world a better place is hoping to help LifeSource collect more than 200 pints of blood at a blood drive being held on Friday,

March 31, 12–7 p.m., at AQSA School, 7361 W. 92nd St., in south suburban Bridgeview.

Globally, though, Pious Projects has its eyes set on more than 1,000 pints of blood being donated that day, with drives scheduled in the U.S., Canada, Africa, Europe, Asia and Australia. Established two years ago, the organization’s mission is to create a way for Muslims from all over the world to take part in humanitarian charitable projects.

When deciding upon a world-wide day of blood donations, Executive Director Fahim Aref noted Verse 5:32 in the Quran, which reads ‘and whoever saves a life, it is as though he had saved all mankind.”

“Knowing that one pint of blood can save three lives, we’d like to think that by donating blood, we’re helping save mankind three times over,” joked Aref. “For Muslims living in Chicago, it’s important to help make a difference and demonstrate that we are part of the community here, as well as part of the country as Americans.”

Muslims at prayer at Toyota Park in Bridgeview, Illinois at the Eid al-Udha celebration Sept. 24, 2015

Despite advancements in medicine there is no substitute for human blood. Every two seconds someone needs a blood transfusion, and LifeSource depends on its generous donors to keep blood on the shelf for patients in need and encourage all eligible Chicagoans to please be the giving type.

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Appointments for March 31 are suggested but walk-ins are welcome. To make an appointment, call (877) 543-3768 or visit LifeSource.org. Donors must be at least 18 years old (16 and 17 years of age with parental consent). In preparation for their donation, donors are asked to eat well, stay hydrated and arrive with proper identification.

The donation process takes about an hour and is both safe and comfortable. Proper ID is required to donate blood. A LifeSource or military ID, driver’s license or employee badge with a picture and full name are all approved forms of ID. A birth certificate along with a picture ID that includes the donor’s full name will also be accepted.

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rayhanania

Managing Writer at The Arab Daily News

RAY HANANIA — Columnist

Ray Hanania is an award winning political columnist and author. He covered Chicago Politics and Chicago City Hall from 1976 through 1992. Hanania began writing in 1975 when he published The Middle Eastern Voice newspaper in Chicago (1975-1977). He later published “The National Arab American Times” newspaper which was distributed through 12,500 Middle East food stores in 48 American States (2004-2007).

Hanania writes weekly columns on Middle East and American Arab issues for the Arab News in Saudi Arabia at www.ArabNews.com, and for TheArabDailyNews.com, and TheDailyHookah.com.

Palestinian, American Arab and Christian, Hanania’s parents originate from Jerusalem and Bethlehem.

Hanania is the recipient of four (4) Chicago Headline Club “Peter Lisagor Awards” for Column writing. In November 2006, he was named “Best Ethnic American Columnist” by the New American Media;In 2009, he received the prestigious Sigma Delta Chi Award for Writing from the Society of Professional Journalists. He is the recipient of the MT Mehdi Courage in Journalism Award. Hanania has also received two (2) Chicago Stick-o-Type awards from the Chicago Newspaper Guild, and in 1990 was nominated by the Chicago Sun-Times for a Pulitzer Prize for his four-part series on the Palestinian Intifada.

His wife and son are Jewish and he performs standup comedy lampooning Arab-Jewish relations, advocating for peace based on non-violence, mutual recognition and Two-States.

His Facebook Page is Facebook.com/rghanania

Email him at: RGHanania@gmail.com

Visit this link to read Ray's column archive at the ArabNews,com www.arabnews.com/taxonomy/term/10906