Scientology Volunteers Give Gift of Life In 2010 Florida Blood Services Drive

CLEARWATER, FL, January 07, 2011 (Press-News.org) Scientology Volunteers (http://www.scientology-fso.org) donated a total of 239 pints of blood in 2010 at four blood drives sponsored by Florida Blood Services and The Church of Scientology. The fourth blood drive of the year was held December 18th in downtown Clearwater, FL where the final 32 pints were donated. Each pint can save up to three lives making the potential lives saved as a result of these donations more that 700.

"It has been a long-time tradition for us to contribute to the community," said Pat Harney the Public Affairs Director for the Church, who coordinated the blood drive. "Donating to Florida Blood Services contributes a very basic need that we have here in Pinellas County."

Harney says, "This time of year is crucial, because it is the holidays, and people are traveling and very busy with all of their events, blood donations are typically very slow, so the need is even more urgent."

Glen Stilo, a donor who has contributed more than 3 gallons over the past years said that as someone who is ex-military, he donates because he wants to make sure that the blood is there when people need it. "It saves lives in emergency situations, and this is why I donate," he said.

"In the Code of a Scientologist, the Founder of Scientology, L. Ron Hubbard said that we are to 'make the world a saner, better place"' and this is one of the ways that we can," concludes Harney.

It is estimated that every five seconds, someone in the United States needs a blood donation, and only 5% of those who are qualified to give blood ever do.

Florida Blood Services provides blood for patients in the greater Tampa Bay area on the West Coast of Florida, including the counties of Pasco, Pinellas, Hillsborough, and Manatee. Do donate, more information can be found at http://www.fbsblood.org.

The Church of Scientology in Clearwater has organized four blood drives a year, every year for 11 years. FBS has now collected nearly 2,000 pints of blood from the Church of Scientology - its staff, parishioners and public in the community who want to help others.

Scientology volunteers (http://www.scientology-fso.org) are members of The Church of Scientology - Flag Service Organization which is a religious retreat for Scientologists of every nationality located in downtown Clearwater, FL. Flag provides the highest levels of religious services and is the largest single Scientology Church in the world with well over 1,000 staff members. The Church and its parishioners are also very much involved with activities to improve the community. This includes sponsoring and supporting programs to help foster children, prevent drug abuse, improve literacy, sponsor blood drives and more.