Perhaps, few families own as many special "red books" as the family of Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh Van, an official of the People's Court of Bao Yen district, currently living in Kim Tan ward, Lao Cai city, with nearly 70. That is a special journey that her family has had during decades of being involved in the voluntary blood donation movement. Her eyes shining with joy and pride, Ms. Van told us the story of her family.
Ms. Van's family has 3 sons, of which the eldest son, Tran Van Hieu, was the first in the family to participate in voluntary blood donation in 2012, when he was a university student. Having been exposed to and studied in the medical environment, Hieu understood the benefits and values of humanitarian blood donation. At that time, the student confided and encouraged his mother to participate, but received a refusal and concern from his family. Because at that time, the voluntary blood donation movement was bustling in big cities but in Lao Cai it was not really popular, and the information had not spread as widely as it is now. Then, 2 years later, in 2014, by chance, Ms. Van participated in voluntary blood donation for the first time while working at the People's Court of Lao Cai city.
Gradually understanding the benefits and human values behind each drop of blood donated, she began to learn more and actively participate. Since 2018, she has regularly donated blood when eligible, some years she donated blood 3-4 times.
Up to now, Ms. Thanh Van has been involved in the voluntary blood donation movement for 11 years with a total of 26 participations. Not only actively participating in the voluntary blood donation movement of the province, there are times when she returns to Hanoi to visit her children, she also takes the opportunity to donate blood at the Central Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion.
Ms. Van said: “Knowing the information and witnessing many cases standing between life and death, at that time I thought how precious a drop of blood is.” Perhaps because of that noble meaning, this woman also actively encouraged her husband and children to join this noble journey.
Mr. Tran Van Bang, Thanh Van's husband, shared: With my wife's encouragement, I have donated blood 21 times. There were days when I was still working and had a lot of work, so I woke up early to donate blood and then went back to work. There was also a time when I donated blood at midnight when I heard that a patient at the Provincial General Hospital urgently needed blood.
My wife and I are proud that our three sons, Tran Van Hieu, Tran Tuan Anh, and Tran Tuan Kiet, are also actively donating blood.
Looking back at the certificates, certificates of merit, and awards recognizing their active participation in the voluntary blood donation movement that were awarded by all levels, Ms. Van and Mr. Bang could not help but be moved. The small, red pieces of paper like drops of blood given away were the hearts that they and their children gave to the community with the desire to share and help those in difficult circumstances, in critical situations.
Most recently, Ms. Van received more joy when she was the only individual in the province to be honored as one of the 100 outstanding voluntary blood donors nationwide in 2025.
Continuing the stories about people with many "red books", we had the opportunity to meet Ms. Do Thi Kieu Lien, President of the Provincial Red Cross Association, Head of the Lao Cai Provincial Blood Donation Club.
9 years of being involved in the voluntary blood donation movement, 23 blood donation certificates are proof of the meaningful journey that Ms. Lien always carefully keeps.
Ms. Lien confided: I participated in voluntary blood donation for the first time in March 2016 and the most recent time was in February 2025. In 2018, I was the Head of the Provincial Blood Donor Club with more than 240 members. For me, the past 9 years have been a journey of love and responsibility.
Scrolling through the statuses posted on her personal Facebook page, Ms. Lien has kept on it many images and emotions about the times she participated in donating blood. More than anything, she hopes that information about voluntary blood donation activities will continue to spread, so that more people will know and participate, joining hands to share drops of blood to help those in critical condition and serious illness.
Not only participating in the blood donation festival at the provincial level, there were times when she drove herself to participate in the blood donation festival in Bat Xat and Bao Thang districts. Her contributions to the voluntary blood donation movement have been recognized and rewarded by all levels and sectors, such as the Certificate of Merit from the Central Committee of the Vietnam Red Cross Society ; Certificate of Merit from the Provincial Red Cross Society; and was honored as one of the advanced models in the patriotic emulation movement of Lao Cai province in the period of 2016 - 2020.
Each character we met and talked to was of different ages and jobs, but what they had in common was a benevolent heart, always devoting themselves to a healthy community. We believe that the "red books" they own will continue to increase, the love and spiritual values will be multiplied, to further extend the journey of charity "each drop of blood given, a life remains".
Source: https://baolaocai.vn/nhung-nguoi-nhieu-so-do-post403307.html
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