Young people share rare blood types.

In 2019, Ms. Nguyen Ngoc Hieu, residing in Chau Thanh commune, gave birth to her first child at Kien Giang General Hospital. She was tested to have the rare blood type O Rh-. After that, Ms. Hieu learned about this blood type and registered to join the rare blood group, with the spirit of being ready to share blood when needed.

Members of the Kien Giang Blood Bank Club participate in voluntary blood donation. Photo: HUYNH ANH

In early July, Ms. Hieu received a notification from the Kien Giang Blood Bank Club that a patient in the emergency room at Kien Giang General Hospital urgently needed a unit of O Rh- blood. Her house is about 12km from the hospital. Around 7 PM, she arranged to leave her children with relatives and drove to the hospital. Ms. Hieu shared: “For people with rare blood types, the chances of survival are very slim without a blood donor. Therefore, when someone needs blood, even late at night and over a long distance, I am always ready to share my blood to save lives.”

Knowing she had a rare blood type, the hospital advised her to notify them three months in advance to ensure a blood reserve was available in case of complications during childbirth. At the time, she was worried because she had never heard of this rare blood type. Fortunately, both mother and child were safe. Later, she learned that the percentage of people with rare blood types in Vietnam is very low (approximately 1 in 1,000 people have this rare blood type). “When I gave birth to my second child, right when the COVID-19 pandemic broke out, there was no O Rh- blood available at the hospital. I became even more aware of the need to protect myself and be more cautious in my daily life. For women, protecting their health is even more important, because fulfilling the role of motherhood can involve many risks during pregnancy and childbirth. I hope that everyone will proactively get tested to find out their blood type. Even if they don't have a rare blood type, they should still actively participate in voluntary blood donation, which is very meaningful for the community,” Ms. Hieu said.

A characteristic of Rh- blood is that it can be transfused to people with Rh+ or Rh- blood types, but can only receive Rh- blood. Transfusing the wrong blood type can lead to hemolysis (rejection reaction), causing shock, kidney failure, cardiovascular collapse, and even death. Patients in critical condition requiring blood transfusions already face significant challenges, and those with the rare Rh- blood type face even greater difficulties. The establishment of a rare blood donation group by the Kien Giang Blood Bank Club is a significant effort, opening up opportunities for people with rare blood types to help each other save lives. The club has been established for nearly five years, with over 1,000 members participating in regular blood donations.

Most of them are young people, living in various localities within the province, working in different industries and professions, and possessing rare blood types such as O Rh-, A Rh-, B Rh-, and AB Rh-. Mr. Vo Van Tanh, Chairman of the Kien Giang Blood Bank Club, shared: “Maintaining regular contact and communication among people with rare blood types is extremely important. This helps them feel more secure; if they unfortunately encounter an accident requiring blood for treatment or surgery, a timely blood supply can be mobilized.”

HUYNH ANH

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/nguoi-tre-chia-se-mau-hiem-a426707.html