spoke to our club
in December to update us on our Rotary District 6290's Blood Bank project in Bali,
Indonesia.A small, out dated blood bank attracted Marilyn's attention when she was a
member of a Group Study Exchange Team to Bali a few years ago. (The Group Study Exchange
Team is made up of one Rotarian from our District and four non-Rotarians who travel to
another country to exchange cultural and business information and ideas.)
Upon her return to Michigan she raised funds for a new building and then proceeded to
write and be awarded a $450,000 3-H grant from Rotary International's Health, Hunger and
Humanities program to stock the new building
with appropriate equipment for blood donations. This facility serves 7.5 million people.
Marilyn shared with the club that many die in Bali from dungay fever, childbirth 
bleeding and accidents due to lack of blood. Often the same needle is used by
more than one blood donor.
"We're not trying to save the world, but just light a candle," offered
Marilyn.
The Fremont Rotary Club contributed a portion of the $25,000 needed to be committed to
the project as a requirement before applying for the 3-H funds. The Rotary International's
Health, Hunger and Humanities program receives $20 million worth of funding requests
annually, with only $5 million available for distribution.
spoke to our club
in December to update us on our Rotary District 6290's Blood Bank project in Bali,
Indonesia.