When donating blood to save lives becomes a habit

People participate in a voluntary blood donation campaign held in Vi Thanh ward.

After first participating in voluntary blood donation 20 years ago, Mr. Nguyen Van An, in Hamlet 1, Vi Tan Ward, has been attached to this movement until now.
To this day, Mr. An still remembers the first time he donated blood. He said: “In 2005, the locality organized a voluntary blood donation, and I was encouraged to participate. I was very worried at that time, but seeing that everyone was comfortable after donating blood, I felt secure and went to donate. After that blood donation, I felt my health was normal, so I continued to participate, and it became a habit.”

Despite his difficult circumstances, his income mainly comes from porter work, and his hours are unstable, but when it is time to donate blood, Mr. An always tries to participate. For Mr. An, donating blood is a meaningful thing, does not affect his health, and above all, it shows responsibility and empathy for the community. Up to now, he has donated over 40 units of blood. Mr. An confided: "When people are rich, they give money and property, when I am in difficulty, donating blood is also helping people. I continue to donate blood until my health does not allow it."

Blood donation is not limited to individuals but extends to the whole family. 77 times is the total number of blood units donated by 4 members of Mr. Cao Minh Thien's family, in Truong Loi hamlet, Truong Long Tay commune, so far. In 2014, when the locality encouraged blood donation, he and his wife asked themselves many questions: would they lose blood or affect their health after donating blood? Because as farmers, if they are not healthy enough, they cannot do field and garden work, but when they understood the humane meaning of this movement, they registered to participate. "The first time I donated blood, I felt normal, not dizzy or lightheaded at all. If anyone has any questions or worries, just ask the children and grandchildren for advice and they will feel secure to donate blood regularly," Mr. Thien recalled.

Since then, whenever the locality organizes voluntary blood donation, he and his wife participate. Following their parents' example, Mr. Thien's two sons also enthusiastically donate blood. Up to now, Mr. Thien has donated blood 30 times, his wife 29 times and his two sons 9 times each. Not stopping there, Mr. Thien also actively promotes to everyone the benefits of blood donation. Thanks to that, many people in the neighborhood enthusiastically participate in voluntary blood donation every time there is a campaign.

From the beginning of the year to mid-August 2025, Can Tho City received over 40,360 units of blood, reaching nearly 62% of the year's target. According to preliminary statistics from the city's Red Cross, in the city, the number of individuals donating blood 20 times is about 300-400 people, 30 times is from 100-200 people, 40 times is about 100 people, 50 times is about 40-50 people...

The blood reserves in hospitals today are still very lacking compared to the needs of medical treatment and emergency care. We really need people who are willing to donate blood to save lives like Mr. An, Mr. Thien's family, and each person who donates blood to save lives is a beautiful example of life, helping many patients overcome death.

Article and photos: CAM LINH

Source: https://baocantho.com.vn/khi-hien-mau-cuu-nguoi-tro-thanh-thoi-quen-a189904.html