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Quy Nhon University’s students donate their blood. Photo N.V.T |
Thousands of patients in Binh Dinh need blood every year and there are also thousands of blood donors. Among them, some have donated their blood many times.
Nguyen Van Thanh, living in Dieu Tri town
Thanh stopped studying and followed in his father’s footsteps to make stone mortars. After becoming the secretary of the hamlet’s youth union, he has to work hard to earn his living. However, whenever anyone needs blood, he voluntarily gives his blood at once.
Being a blood donor for 10 years, what is your main cause?
The voluntary blood donation movement was launched in Dieu Tri in 1999 and I’ve begun to donate my blood to respond to the movement. But I was then aware that my blood could be reproduced but patients couldn’t live without blood.
In 2004, I was elected a member of the town People’s Council, but I’ve still donated my blood whenever possible.
Do you remember any emergency cases when you donated your blood?
I only remember one case when an old patient in Binh Dinh General Hospital needed blood, but his sons couldn’t give blood to their father owing to different reasons.
I immediately came there and donated my blood to save his life even though I had given my blood three days earlier. I simply thought I was healthy, so I could donate my blood.
In 2008, Thanh was one of three blood donors in Binh Dinh honored and joining the “Vietnam’s Hearts Journey.”
How did you feel after the journey?
The journey began from Can Tho city to HCM city, Huy, Ha Noi, and Thai Nguyen. We then returned to Ha Noi to join a festival honoring blood donors.
I met many old people who voluntarily donated their blood during the journey and I, therefore, realized I was only a very small part in the voluntary blood donation movement.
What did you experience?
I was impressed by the movement in Hue city where many women are ready to give their blood on their way to the market. There are also many blood donation clubs in localities, bridging the movement and the community.
Hoang Thi Ly My Phuong, working at Prudential Vietnam
Do you have any unforgettable experiences when donating your blood?
I’ve donated my blood for four times. An unforgettable experience is the first time I donated my blood.
At that time, when I was travelling to HCM City to attend the company’s birthday ceremony, I visited Prudential’s representative office in Nha Trang and I followed my colleague to donate my blood.
Truthfully, I felt nervous about giving my blood away. After that I continued the journey, but I felt tired. I then knew every blood donor has to drink sugar water and must relax after that.
Do you persuade your friends and colleagues to donate their blood?
After donating my blood for the first time I understand the significance of voluntary blood donation. Once, my friend suffered leukemia, requiring blood, but my blood type is different from his blood type. He died three months later. I’ve persuaded my friends to donate their blood with me since then.
People often speak of the necessity for a reciprocal relationship in many issues. When donating your blood, do you think about any compensation?
In my company, all blood donors have no priority. However, the number of blood donors has still increased. I’ve never thought that I donated my blood in case I’m given priority when having an accident.
Dang Ngoc Quoc, studying at Quy Nhon University
We met Quoc when he had donated his blood for the 14th time at Quy Nhon University.
Could you tell us something about your blood donation?
When studying at high school, I was afraid of donating my blood. After becoming a student of HCM City-based University of Technology, I joined many talks about the blood donation.
One month later one of my classmate suffered a fatal disease and he needed blood. At that time I voluntarily donated my blood to help him. I was really happy when helping my friend. Although I’m busy, I always donate my blood when there is any movement.
After leaving HCM City-based University of Technology, I still dreamed of having a Bachelor’s degree. I therefore enrolled for a course at Quy Nhon University and join the university’s voluntary blood donation group.
Have you ever felt difficult to persuade your friends to join the blood donation movement?
I thoroughly understand the significance of blood donation. Whenever donating blood, I still feel healthy to work and study. Because I’m the oldest member in my class, I easily persuaded my classmates and roommates in the dormitory to donate their blood.
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