The survey was conducted in December and January by Christian Research on behalf of Kore ahead of the fleshandblood campaign launched earlier this year in partnership with NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT). The campaign seeks to equip individuals and churches as advocates for blood and organ donation, and is supported by the Baptist Union of Great Britain alongside several denominations.

The survey shows that close to 10 per cent of Christians have given blood in the last year compared to four per cent of the general population who have given blood in the last two years. Almost half of all Christians are registered on the NHS Organ Donor Register compared with 31 per cent of the general population.

However despite these strong levels of engagement the overall findings reveal that many churches in Britain do not yet see blood and organ donation as a part of its giving.

Just 0.3 per cent of respondents stated that either blood or organ donation was a frequent part of their church's teaching and more than 75 per cent said that neither blood nor organ donation was ever mentioned or encouraged by their church.

These statistics were apparently inconsistent with the fact that 35 per cent of clergy already considered blood and organ donation as a part of their 

Christian giving, compared with 24 per cent of non-clergy, highlighting the challenge was not in persuading leaders of its importance, but rather equipping them to integrate blood and organ donation into their church's culture of giving.
The research also revealed that 70 per cent of Christians already consider blood and organ donation as a part of their Christian giving, or are open to the idea.
fleshandblood campaign director Juls Hollidge said, 'The church has always been known for its spirit of generosity.
'We want to encourage churches and church leaders to explore what it would mean if, alongside all its other great work, the Church were to see blood and organ donation as a part of that desire to be generous.'

The Rt Revd James Newcome, Lead Bishop on Healthcare for the Church of England said, 'Extending our understanding of the central Christian themes of generosity and stewardship to include blood and organ donation has the potential to tangibly transform the giver and the receiver.

'The benefit to others is not only life enhancing but can mean the difference between life and death.'

The fleshandblood campaign marks the first time NHS Blood and Transplant has worked alongside the church on a national initiative of this kind. It is 

sponsored by Give.net and seeks to equip individuals and churches as advocates for blood and organ donation.

As well as BUGB, the fleshandblood campaign is supported by other denominations, organisations and festivals including the Church of England, Salvation Army, Methodist Church, United Reformed Church, Hope and Evangelical Alliance.

www.fleshandblood.org is a hub of free resources, stories and media: providing information and practical ideas for churches and communities to engage with the campaign.

Last Updated on Wednesday, 06 March 2013 10:00