Society
Still lots of life left in City
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| Phạm Hữu Thiện (left), the headteacher of Giao Long A Primary School in Châu Thành District of Bến Tre Province, has been donating blood for the past 20 years. — VNA/VNS Photos |
HÀ NỘI — At the age of 52, Phạm Hữu Thiện, headteacher of a primary school, is among the leading voluntary blood donors in Bến Tre Province.
Thiện started donating blood in 2002, with the simple hope that a drop of his blood could save someone’s life. He believed this was the simplest way to save lives.
He still does today. Over the past 20 years, Thiện has donated blood 31 times, a number that is only going to rise.
“I will surely keep doing it. I am a universal blood donor as my O-type blood can help anyone in need of blood transfusion,” Thiện said with a smile.
“I’m very happy to participate in voluntary blood donations and to do good deeds to help people,” he added.
Thiện remembered the first time he gave blood. He was working as a math teacher at Giao Long A Primary School in Châu Thành District.
The blood donation campaign was organised by the district’s Red Cross on a summer day in April. The campaign only received a few donors as many hesitated to give blood. Thiện and his wife were among the first to register for the campaign.
Thiện said he and his wife were both nervous and anxious. He held his wife’s hands and encouraged her while they waited their turn.
“When it was my turn to donate blood, I felt nothing but happiness as I knew that my blood could contribute to saving patients,” he said.
Lê Thị Thành, chairwoman of the Red Cross in Giao Long Commune, said Thiện was not only a regular blood donor but also a very active volunteer encouraging other people to join the donation.
As a principal, he educated his students and inspired his colleagues to do good deeds.
“Six teachers have become the core blood donors, volunteering every time there is a campaign to save lives,” he said.
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| Thiện has inspired many people to join the blood donation campaign. |
Nguyễn Hoàng Hiếu, a teacher at Giao Long A Primary School, said he has been working at the school since 2009.
Looking at what the principal has done, Hiếu joined the blood donation campaign and has donated more than 30 times.
Hiếu said teachers’ good deeds were the best lessons they could give to their students.
“The teacher's actions will directly educate students about love, sharing and saving lives of those in need of blood transfusions. Students will learn to live lovingly and responsibly to the community,” he said.
Trần Minh Đăng, vice chairman of the Red Cross of Châu Thành District, said the voluntary blood donation movement in the district has attracted a large number of people from all walks of life and contributed to facilitating the emergency treatment of patients.
This is the result of the efforts of all people, but particularly active blood donors like Thiện, as he always encourages people to participate in blood donation activities and create a bank of blood reserves for local health facilities.
In 2021, due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the district could only collect 500 blood units. This year, the district targets 950 blood units.
Thiện has been awarded a certificate of merit by the provincial People's Committee for his voluntary blood donation. He was also honoured to receive the Certificate of Merit from the Minister of Health for his outstanding achievements in the voluntary blood donation movement. — VNS
Voluntary blood donation is a popular movement in Việt Nam HÀ NỘI – April 7 was designated as the “All People’s Voluntary Blood Donation Day” 22 years ago and, ever since, the blood donation movement has grown, thanks to ever-increasing support. Every year, Việt Nam needs about two million blood units for emergency aid, medical treatment, and as reserves for accidents, disasters, and epidemics. The voluntary blood donation movement has developed strongly, attracting the participation of people from all sections of society, from students, civil servants, armed forces personnel and health workers, to religious dignitaries and workers. Bạch Quốc Khánh, Director of the National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion (NIHBT), said public awareness has improved considerably compared to that five or ten years ago. Despite the complex COVID-19 situation, whenever the institute faced blood shortages, it only needed to issue an appeal and thousands of blood donors would come right the next day. Shortages will no longer be a concern if all healthy people are ready to share their precious blood, he said. Khánh noted healthy people who make regular donations are the source of the highest blood quality and safety, as they are always aware of the importance of protecting their health. As well as helping save lives, donors can also gain benefits for themselves. Regular blood donation, especially at young ages, help reduce the risk of hemochromatosis, thereby lowering the rate of strokes and cardiovascular diseases, according to the NIHBT. Donors will also benefit from free health check-ups and blood tests, are cared for after donation and receive gifts. Perhaps most importantly, they receive a blood donation certificate, entitling them to the same amount of volume of blood that they have donated, free of charge, should they need it. The NIHBT expressed its hope that healthy people will donate blood regularly whenever they can since a large number of patients are waiting for it to sustain their lives, every hour of every day. — VNS |
