Residents participate in a voluntary blood donation drive organized in Vi Thanh ward.
Since his first voluntary blood donation 20 years ago, Mr. Nguyen Van An, residing in Hamlet 1, Vi Tan Ward, has remained involved in this movement to this day.
To this day, Mr. An still remembers his first time donating blood. He recounted: “In 2005, the local area organized a voluntary blood donation drive, and I was encouraged to participate. I was quite nervous at the time, but seeing everyone else doing well after donating, I felt reassured and went in to donate. After that first donation, I felt perfectly fine, so I continued participating, and it eventually became a habit.”
Despite his difficult circumstances, with his income mainly coming from his work as a porter and irregular hours, Mr. An always makes time to donate blood when it's time. For him, blood donation is a meaningful act, it doesn't affect his health, and above all, it shows responsibility and empathy for the community. To date, he has donated over 40 units of blood. Mr. An confided: "Wealthy people donate money and resources, but I, being in need, donate blood is also a way to help others. I will continue donating blood until my health no longer allows me to."
Blood donation isn't limited to individuals; it's spread to entire families. To date, four members of Mr. Cao Minh Thien's family in Truong Loi hamlet, Truong Long Tay commune, have donated blood voluntarily 77 times. In 2014, when the local authorities encouraged blood donation, Mr. Thien and his wife had many questions: would donating blood cause them to lose blood or affect their health? As farmers, they couldn't work in the fields and gardens without sufficient health. However, understanding the humanitarian significance of this movement, they registered to participate. "The first time I donated blood, I felt perfectly fine, without any dizziness or lightheadedness. If anyone has questions or concerns, they can ask the staff for advice, and they'll feel reassured and continue donating regularly," Mr. Thien recalled.
Since then, whenever the local community organizes a voluntary blood donation drive, Mr. Thien and his wife participate. Following their parents' example, Mr. Thien's two sons also enthusiastically donate blood. To date, Mr. Thien himself has donated blood 30 times, his wife 29 times, and each of his two sons 9 times. Not stopping there, Mr. Thien actively promotes the benefits of blood donation to others. As a result, many people in the neighborhood have enthusiastically participated in voluntary blood donation whenever there is a drive.
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 annual target. According to preliminary statistics from the city's Red Cross Society, in the city, the number of individuals who have donated blood 20 times is approximately 300-400, 30 times 100-200, 40 times about 100, and 50 times about 40-50...
The current blood reserves at hospitals are far below the demand for treatment and emergency care. We desperately need the generosity of people like Mr. An and Mr. Thien's family who are willing to donate blood to save lives. Each blood donor is a beautiful example of living, helping many patients overcome the brink of death.
Text and photos: CAM LINH
Source: https://baocantho.com.vn/khi-hien-mau-cuu-nguoi-tro-thanh-thoi-quen-a189904.html
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