Journey of blood
In response to the voluntary blood donation movement, Hai Phong residents willingly donate tens of thousands of units of blood each year, along with the hope of saving patients’ lives.
Giving...
54 years old, but Nguyen Tu Le in Thanh Dong Ward still enthusiastically registers to donate blood whenever a campaign is launched. Although no longer young, Le believes that as long as her health allows, she can still make a small contribution to helping those in need of blood.
After each donation, Le feels more clearly the changes in her own life. She feels more spirited, optimistic and positive. As a result, she also pays more attention to taking care of and protecting her health so that she can donate blood again in the future.
“Each time I donate blood, I remind myself to live more responsibly toward the community. For each blood donor, it may be something ordinary, but when given at the right time, it becomes a meaningful gift to a patient,” said Le.
In response to the voluntary blood donation movement, Hai Phong residents willingly donate tens of thousands of units of blood each year, along with the hope of saving patients’ lives. The city aims to collect 63,500 units of blood in 2026. For many people, blood donation is not only a charitable activity but is also gradually becoming a meaningful act that connects the community and society.
... and receiving
After collection, each unit of blood is not immediately put into use but must undergo testing and processing in accordance with regulations. Blood samples are tested and screened to ensure safety before being stored and distributed for emergency care and treatment. Therefore, medical staffs at healthcare facilities always handle each unit of blood with caution, care and strict adherence to procedures.
According to Dr. Dang Xuan Hoang, Head of the Department of Clinical Hematology and Blood Transfusion at Hai Duong General Hospital, blood is a special biological product that cannot be artificially synthesized. The only source of blood is the voluntary blood donation of the community. Meanwhile, the demand for blood at healthcare facilities is very high, regular and continuous. Therefore, maintaining a stable pool of blood donors is of great importance to emergency care and treatment.
At the end of the journey are patients waiting for blood supplies for a chance to recover. Nguyen Van Thang in Thanh Mien Commune has suffered from bone marrow failure for many years. The disease prevents Thang’s body from producing enough blood cells. As a result, he has to receive more than 2 liters of blood transfusions each month to maintain his health.
“I have had blood transfusions many times and am always grateful to those who are willing to donate blood to help patients. Although they are people I do not know, they still give their blood out of compassion. This gives me more motivation to undergo treatment with peace of mind and overcome my feelings of insecurity about my illness,” said Thang.
The journey of blood continues through compassion and sharing. Along this journey, donors and recipients may not know each other’s faces or names, but they meet in their shared love and responsibility for the community.
NGUYEN MO