Nguyễn Văn Thanh donating platelets. Photo courtesy of Nguyễn Văn Thanh.

HÀ NỘI Twenty-eight-year-old Nguyễn Văn Thanh, from Thanh Lâm commune, Mê Linh District, Hà Nội, is one of the '10 Outstanding Young Faces of the Capital in 2023', having donated blood and platelets more than one hundred times.

Thanh began donating blood in 2014 when he turned 18 and has been donating regularly ever since, by April this year, he had participated in blood and platelet donation 124 times.

After three blood donations, Thanh switched to donating platelets because he realised that the interval between platelet donations is only three weeks, allowing him to help more patients.

Thanh's resolve to blood donation stems from a personal story. In 2017, he had an accident and required treatment at Việt Đức Hospital, where he needed to receive multiple blood transfusions. Besides donating blood, Thanh actively participates in other charitable activities, such as donating clothes and books to children in mountainous areas and assisting traffic police in regulating traffic during peak hours in Hà Nội.

A recipient of the 2022 'Good Person, Good Deed' award from the Hà Nội People's Committee, Thanh humbly states that he wants to spread good deeds from the heart.

Thanh was also honoured by the National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion (NIHBT), and was one of fifty exemplary figures honoured in the VTV's 'Good Deeds' programme in 2022.

Thanh always maintains a healthy diet and lifestyle to be able to donate blood regularly. He typically donates platelets 14-15 times a year and reached the milestone of 100 blood donations in 2022. His wife, Nguyễn Thị Nhật Lệ, always supports and cares for his health after each donation.

A representative from the NIHBT stated that regular donors like Thanh are the safest because they are always conscious of maintaining their health.

According to Thanh, he donates blood not because of the recognition but because of the hope that through his story, more people will be aware of blood and platelet donation and join in building a community of regular donors.

Thanh's contributions not only saved many patients' lives but also spread valuable values into the community. His story is a vivid testament to the power of goodwill and responsibility, contributing to building a compassionate and connected society.

Nguyễn Văn Khánh during his 100th platelet donation at the NIHBT. Photo courtesy of the NIHBT.

A 16-year journey

A significant milestone in Nguyễn Văn Khánh's blood donation journey occurred in 2018 during a dengue fever outbreak in Hà Nội. Visiting the NIHBT for his usual donation, tests revealed a high platelet count. Persuaded by the staff to donate platelets, Khánh agreed and successfully donated two units.

Khánh began donating blood in 2008. Over sixteen years, he has made thirty-four whole blood donations and sixty-six platelet donations, aiding numerous patients. "Donating blood is very meaningful to me because I know my blood helps many patients in need," Khánh shared.

Initially, Khánh participated in mobile blood drives but found them inconvenient due to varying schedules and long waits in his district. To be more proactive, he started donating directly at the NIHBT, which accepts donations 365 days a year, despite the 40km distance. This change allowed him to better manage his time and work commitments.

Moreover, Khánh actively encourages his relatives and friends to donate blood. He has also registered to donate tissues, organs and his body after death. Khánh believes that 'Every drop of blood given, a life remains,' and feels that participating in blood donation fosters empathy and happiness from helping others.

Khánh's dedication has earned him notable recognitions. He participated in the National Patriotic Emulation Congress, received the Prime Minister's Certificate of Merit for his adherence to Hồ Chí Minh's ideology, morality and style during 2016-2021 and the Hưng Yên Provincial People's Committee's Certificate of Merit for his achievements in patriotic emulation movements from 2015 to 2020.

Marking his one hundredth blood donation on May 9 at the National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, Khánh is one of Hưng Yên Province's most regular and prolific blood donors. His selfless contributions save lives and spread humanitarian values within the community, exemplifying responsibility, love and dedication as a model citizen. VNS

Facts about platelet donationPlatelet concentrate is a specialised blood product used to treat and prevent bleeding, available in two types: platelet concentrate from whole blood and platelet concentrate from donors. Given its short shelf life of up to five days, platelet collection and preparation must be closely aligned with hospital demands.Platelet donation differs from whole blood donation in several ways. While whole blood donation can be repeated every three months, platelet donation can occur every three weeks. However, it has stricter requirements regarding the donor's weight and platelet count. Additionally, the donation process for platelets is longer and more complex. It involves a closed-loop system using apheresis kits to collect blood, centrifuge it, separate the platelets and return the remaining blood to the donor. This process takes between 45 to 90 minutes, compared to just five minutes for whole blood donation.