The Sikh Association of Fresno conducted. A blood drive June 6 in memory of Sikh pilgrims killed in India in 1984.
The Central California Blood Center expected 25 donors, but nearly 40 Sikhs donated blood at the Sikh Community Church in east central Fresno, said John Brenda, a registered nurse with the blood center. “Anytime we get more donors than our projection, it’s an excellent turnout,” Fronda said.
The Sikh’s annual blood drive in memory of the Sikh pilgrims who died in June 1984 when the Indian army and police attacked the Golden Temple, the Sikh’s holiest shrine, in the Indian city of Amritsar, said Dr, Harcharn S, Chann, a church official.
The Indian government said it was trying to capture a group of extremists who were waging war against India.
For 11 years Sikhs have sought to establish a nation called Khalistan in the northern state of Punjab in India. Thousands of people have died in the separatist campaign.
“There are a few days that grad everyone, they remember where they were and what they were doing on certain days, like Pearl Harbor,” Chann said. “For us, it is June 6.1984.”
The blood drive also was conducted to demonstrate the Sikh Association’s dedication to Fresno, Chann said.
“We think it’s important to help the community,” he said. “We want to do our part. We think this is a great way to show our commitment to the Fresno community.” The blood drive was especially important now because it comes at the start of the summer, which traditionally is the time of greatest need for blood, Chann said.
The blood center is a nonprofit organization supplying blood to 33 hospitals in Fresno, Kings, Tulare, Mariposa’ and Madera counties. The center’s blood mobile issued to conduct blood drives with churches, community groups, and other organizations.
Article extracted from this publication >> June 18, 1993
