The silent journey of those who keep the rhythm of life from drops of blood of love

At 4 o'clock, the Blood Transfusion Center of Cho Ray Hospital was lit up, signaling the start of a new working day. The team of doctors and nurses of the mobile blood collection team urgently prepared for the long journey to Tan Khai commune, Dong Nai province, nearly 100km from Ho Chi Minh City.

Mr. Nguyen Van Xinh, the Blood Collection Team Leader, with 19 years of experience, shared: "Today we expect to receive 460 units of blood, hoping to collect enough to supplement the blood bank's shortage."

Mr. Xinh, like a "living map", knows by heart the places the team has been to, where there is a lot of blood donation, where there is a shortage of blood.

At exactly 4:20 am, medical supplies and equipment were neatly arranged on the vehicle, ready for the trip. Cho Ray Blood Transfusion Center, with 30 nurses divided into 2 teams, is responsible for receiving, testing, preparing and supplying blood to more than 60 hospitals in the Southeast, Cho Ray Hospital and some hospitals in Ho Chi Minh City.

The work not only takes place from Monday to Friday, but also extends to the weekend when many units register to donate blood. To be on time for departure, many members have to wake up at 2am, travel a long distance to the center, and take a nap on the bus to save energy for a long day.

After more than 2 hours of traveling, the blood collection team quickly settled down at the Tan Khai Commune Police Hall. Since 7am, local people had lined up, eagerly waiting for their turn to donate blood.

Each nurse takes charge of two donation beds at the same time, receiving 40 to 50 people in a session. The operations are quick and precise, from taking veins, monitoring donors to changing blood bags, repeated over and over for many hours.

In addition to their professional duties, other members are responsible for transporting supplies, arranging beds, checking blood bags and testing equipment. For local people, the mobile blood collection team has become familiar. Ms. Pham Thi Tinh (46 years old), who donated blood for the first time, shared: "Although I was a bit nervous the first time and went alone, next time I will invite my family members to join because this is a very meaningful thing."

Mr. Nguyen Chi Thanh, who has donated blood 53 times, could not hide his joy when showing off his certificate. "A drop of blood given, a life saved. That's what I do," Mr. Thanh smiled.

After more than 3 hours of work, the team packed up and prepared to bring the blood back to the center. The bus ride through the afternoon brought the team back in the early afternoon. Without a long break, the members quickly got down to their usual work: transporting, sorting and processing the blood.

The result of the trip was 399 units of blood, a positive number, timely supplement to the scarce blood bank. The blood units will then be screened, produced into different preparations and stored according to specific temperature standards, waiting to be used to save the lives of patients in need of blood.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/suc-khoe/hanh-trinh-tham-lang-cua-nhung-nguoi-giu-nhip-song-tu-giot-mau-nghia-tinh-20251005000118098.htm