Every given blood drop is a saved life

Witnessing their loved ones being within an inch of life without timely blood transfusion, being aware of blood donation meaning, the movement of voluntary blood donation in the province has been evolving over the years, increased in terms of targets and participants.

Despite his small and disabled figure, Le Hien Trung living at Binh Minh quarter, Di An town has participated in voluntary blood donation almost 30 times. Trung said: “Because my life still has difficulties, I do not have money for charity. Thus I help others by my blood with the hope that my blood could save someone in critical conditions”.  

Le Hien Trung joined voluntary blood donation movement in 2000 through encouragement of local Youth Union. Currently, he also persuades his friends to donate blood. “I usually say: I am like this but donate blood, why don’t you, vigorous and young men, do that? Doing little good things to feel happy. So everyone join me...”, said Trung.

The number of people donating blood has increased.

Tran Tan Phong living at Tuong Binh Hiep ward, TDM City is a typical example of the movement, and has participated in 40 times of voluntary blood donation. Previously, as Tuong Binh Hiep ward Youth Secretary, he established voluntary blood donation club, and a blood bank operating 24/24 with dozens of member. He has communicated through not only words but also his real actions, thus the number of young participants increased. At the present, as provincial Red Cross Office’s Head, he continues to devote himself to blood donation movement.

Provincial Red Cross’s Chairwoman Ms. Tran Thi Lien said, although the number of participants is relatively low compared to provincial total population (0.83% compared to the target of 1%), voluntary blood donation movement of the province has enhanced constantly in recent years.

In 2012, the province collected 10,000 blood units, but in 2014, the number was 14,500 blood units, and in 2015, the target of 16,000 blood units will be soon fulfilled.

According to Ms. Lien, the number of individuals and families giving blood has been increasing. There are some people, whose life has many difficulties or whose body is disabled, but they always turn to the community. In 2014, Steering committee of voluntary blood donation honored and awarded 763 individuals and families of voluntary blood donation movement.

On the other hand, propaganda to raise the all social strata’s awareness of voluntary blood donation has been focused. Training courses were organized for propagandists; propaganda was combined with meetings, competitions, camps…

Therefore, voluntary blood donation movement in the province achieved the set targets. Previously, the core force of voluntary blood donation was cadres, officials, members, army forces etc. Currently, workers, employees of companies, religious organizations also take part in the movement.

“In 2015, Binh Duong assigned a target of 16,000 blood units, blood donating population ratio must reach 0.9%. To achieve this target, the committee will continue to promote propaganda among people to collect blood, meet the demand for blood in provincial hospitals. Donating blood to save people, your deed will help more patients.  This is the message sent to all social strata in the province”, said Ms. Lien.

Reported by T.Thao – Translated by Ngoc Huynh