Leaders of the Diocese of Lansing Office of Black Catholic Ministry don’t want money for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
They want blood.
The ministry and the American Red Cross will host the Blood of the Martyrs drive this weekend, a series of 10 blood drives honoring Martin Luther King, Jr.
Ministry director Ron Landfair said the drives are a way to bring meaning and identity to Monday’s holiday.
Saturday’s drive will be held from 10 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. at John’s Student Parish, 327 M.A.C. Ave.
“We’re trying to honor his memory in a different way,” Landfair said. “What better way to do that than offer the gift of self-sacrifice and give the gift of life?”
Landfair said the goal this weekend is to surpass last year’s collection of 650 units, 8 percent of which came from first-time donors. He also said similar programs were adopted in Oklahoma, Ohio and Massachusetts.
“What I’m most pleased with is the growth of the drives,” he said. “It’s getting national recognition already because I think it speaks to the heart of what’s best in all of us.”
Ann Kammerer, spokeswoman for the American Red Cross Great Lakes Region, said the intent of the drives is to cut across cultures, faiths and ethnicities, and also to attract black donors.
“African Americans are 13 percent of the population, but just 2 percent of America’s blood donors,” she said. “African Americans typically have type O and B blood and we run into situations where we receive shortages of that type.”
Red Cross officials said black donors also are in demand as a result of sickle cell disease, a blood disorder that primarily affects them. African American people with sickle cell disease are less likely to have physical reactions to blood donated by other black people.
Liz Schweitzer, a member of the pastoral team at the student parish, said the drives are one way to keep King’s memory alive and step forward as a community.
“There are so many holidays that have just become another day off from work,” she said. “The intent of the diocese is to keep alive what Martin Luther King worked for.”
Schweitzer also said it’s important for people to find out how they can remember others and contribute to their causes.
“We want to raise awareness of all great people who have represented the values of the Catholic Church,” she said. “You have to continue to search personally how you want to hold these people in your heart after they are gone. This is one way to do it.”
