Respect for blood donors<\/p>\n
From Media Indonesia<\/p>\n
As a regular blood donor since 1978, I felt something was
\nmissing and in a bland ceremony held last September to mark the
\nanniversary of the Indonesian Red Cross. On that occasion there
\nwas no special acknowledgment from the government of a blood
\ndonor who had already donated blood 75 times.<\/p>\n
Hopefully this is no indication that Gus Dur (President
\nAbdurrahman Wahid) is different from Soeharto in terms of
\nsensitivity towards fighters for humanity. In our opinion, the
\ntradition to accord appreciation to those who have sincerely
\ndevoted themselves to the well-being of their fellow human beings
\nshould not be terminated just because of differences in vision or
\npurpose.<\/p>\n
Voluntary blood donors who have donated their blood 75 times
\nare common people or low-level employees in remote places across
\nthe country. They will feel honored to be able to enter the
\npalace and meet as well as take a picture with the President and
\nthe Vice President. Doesn't this touch Gus Dur and Mbak Mega at
\nall or move their hearts to grant the blood donors this modest
\ntoken of appreciation?<\/p>\n
In other Asian countries, Hong Kong and South Korea, for
\nexample, voluntary blood donors occupy a special place in the
\neyes of the community. We can only wait to see that a country led
\nby a Muslim cleric and the \"mother of common people\" will prove
\nto be able to respond to this simple aspiration.<\/p>\n
H.A. KUMEIRZAL<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/respect-for-blood-donors-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }