German student surprised by Vietnamese youth's 'hobby' of donating blood

Coming to Vietnam for the first time and also donating blood for the first time, Celik Gedik (19 years old, German nationality) was very surprised by the image of young people lining up to donate blood voluntarily.

Celik Gedik donates blood for the first time in Vietnam in the program "Loving Heart 2023" - Photo: THU HIEU

"Donating blood is my way of helping those less fortunate."

On December 2, the National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion coordinated with the Hanoi Youth Blood Donation Association to organize the 15th "Volunteer Heart" blood donation festival in 2023, in response to International Volunteer Day on December 5 at the Hanoi Museum. Present at the blood donation festival with his friends early, Celik Gedik (19 years old, German nationality), currently a volunteer teaching assistant at Hanoi University of Industry, said he was very surprised by the image of people lining up to donate blood in Vietnam. "I really admire the community spirit of the Vietnamese people. In Germany, there are also blood donation programs but they are not as well received as here. In particular, young people donate blood a lot, as a hobby. As a volunteer myself, I feel this is something I should do. Being healthy enough to go to many places, donating blood is my way of helping those less fortunate," Celik said. Celik Gedik shared that in Germany, he often participates in activities related to helping people who are not healthy and capable. Therefore, donating blood is also an opportunity for Celik to give his precious blood to bring vitality and faith to patients. Holding the blood donation certificate in his hand, Celik was very proud and considered this the first "medal" he received in his life. Behind that joy is the wish that patients who are in the process of treatment will soon be healthy and return to normal life.

Instead of going on a date, the whole group donated blood together.

Also lining up very early at the blood donation festival, Tran Duy Hoang (a student in Hanoi) invited five of his friends to the festival. Hoang "revealed" that the group of friends were three couples in love. "We made an appointment to attend this festival. Instead of going out or dating, the whole group wanted to make a memory by donating blood together," Hoang said with a smile.

Long lines of people lined up to donate blood voluntarily - Photo: THU HIEU

Not only young people participated in blood donation, some people brought their whole family to participate. Ms. Vu Thi Yen (Hoai Duc, Hanoi) with her husband and two children traveled more than 20km to the festival. Ms. Yen shared that this was her 9th blood donation and her husband's 4th. "I have donated blood since I was a student and try to continue donating blood when I have the conditions. Today, my children are off school, so I brought them along, also so that they can learn about volunteer activities, helping those in need of blood," Ms. Yen shared.

Yen's family arrived early at the festival to donate blood - Photo: THU HIEU

15 years of Volunteer Heart Blood Donation Festival

Since 2009, the Volunteer Heart Festival has been held to meet the need for blood for emergency and year-end treatment. This is one of four large-scale blood donation events held in Hanoi. With only 897 units of blood in the first event, over 14 periods, the program has attracted more than 40,000 participants and received 32,162 units of blood. This year's festival aims to receive at least 2,500 units of blood, contributing along with other blood donation programs to prepare blood reserves for the end of the year and New Year. Dr. Tran Ngoc Que, Director of the National Blood Center, National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, said: "The Institute needs about 110,000 units of blood and 12,000 units of platelets in the next 3 months (December 2023 to February 2024) to meet the emergency and treatment needs of 182 medical facilities in 31 provinces/cities. Thanks to the participation of units with the planned blood donation schedule, the Institute will basically ensure this need."

Tuoitre.vn