The Ismaili Council for the Southeastern USA, in partnership with the American Red Cross and the Faith Alliance of Metro Atlanta (FAMA), organized and implemented community blood drives. The objective was to alleviate the blood shortage caused by canceled drives and the increase in patients due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The Ismaili community has been an absolute pleasure to work with over the past few weeks,” says Carrie Wixon, Red Cross Account Manager. “They have truly stepped up to make a difference in their community, when many have been forced to take a step back.”
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The community partners banned together to prepare a safe environment for individuals to donate blood at each of the five Jamatkhanas in metro-Atlanta. Over 300 people registered across all five locations.
Thorough safety protocols were in place to ensure the safety of donors and over 100 volunteers who made these drives a success. Donors were required to register in advance in order to control the number of people in the building at a time. The ethic of service to others carried through all the donors and volunteers.
“As always, the I-CERV youth volunteers staffed the event with attention to detail, enthusiasm, and good cheer,” says Valerie Morvan, a FAMA volunteer.
“With what’s going on in our world during unprecedented times, it’s essential that we try to give back to those who are in need in any way we can,” comments Sabrina Virani, a first-time blood donor.
With the community coming together, the blood drives were able to collect over 260 units of blood in total, which can save up to 780 lives.
“Blood is a precious gift that you can give to another person. Donating blood can save a life or even several. I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve in a meaningful way during this pandemic,” shares Mashal Alidina, a donor and
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volunteer at Duluth Jamatkhana.
This opportunity to give back to others during the pandemic attracted first-time donors, regular blood donors, multiple generations, and interfaith family members.
Shama Sarangi-Virani shares her story of getting her entire family involved. “My dad, brother, sister-in-law, and daughter, all signed up to donate,” she says.
After going through the pre-screening, only her father, Dr. Sadrudin Sarangi, was approved to participate. “Many of us didn’t meet all the requirements to donate, but having the opportunity to support one another as a family and community was so valuable.”
Rebecca Reynolds is a regular donor and participated in the drive at Northwest Jamatkhana with her fiancé, mother-in-law, and father-in-law.
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“I think my mother-in-law and father-in-law felt comfortable (with the safety precautions) because the event was held at Jamatkhana,” she remarks, and adds: “I’m not Ismaili so I am glad this was an interfaith event. The event was very inclusive, and, in the end, the blood isn’t looked at by who is donating. We are all in this together no matter what age, race, religion, or background. I think when we lift society up as a whole, no matter what religion or non-religion, we are all better off for it.”
Many of the donors felt the event was efficient and were grateful to have the opportunity to save a life. “I felt very fortunate to have the opportunity to donate blood for the first time at the Interfaith Blood Drive,” says Saba Verani, who attended the event at South Jamatkhana. “Our faith teaches us compassion and to give back in any way we can and I’m grateful that I was able to make an impact.”
