Young man donates blood 130 times to save people

Nguyen Van Thanh participated in the program "Meeting typical platelet donors in 2021". (Photo: Institute of Hematology)

Nguyen Van Thanh started donating blood voluntarily in 2014, when he was a student at the University of Industrial Economics and Technology (Hanoi).

While waiting for the bus at the University of Commerce, the young man often saw mobile blood donation vehicles. At that time, the young man listened to advice from students that blood donation was a meaningful activity that could bring a chance to live to many patients, so Thanh decided to participate.

After donating blood 3 times, Thanh was advised to donate platelets. At that time, the demand for platelets in the hospital was high, but few people knew about it. Whole blood donations had to be spaced about 3 months apart, while platelet donations could be donated again after 21 days, so Thanh participated in both forms. Every year, this young man with blood type B donated platelets 12-15 times and blood 3-4 times.

“Every time I go to the hospital to donate blood and platelets, I see many pitiful situations. There are very young children who have suffered painful torture from the terrible cancer… They need blood to sustain their lives every day. That’s why I want to help the sick, spread the word about blood donation and participate in volunteer activities,” Thanh shared.

Thanh revealed that in order to donate blood regularly, the young man maintains a healthy diet and lifestyle, and plays sports to improve his health.

Before donating blood, Thanh will balance his diet, not eat too much protein and limit alcohol.

Thanh works freelance so he always takes the initiative to arrange his time to participate in voluntary blood donation. Taking advantage of the weekend, the young man is present at the National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion to give precious blood to the community.

At first, Thanh's wife was worried and even skeptical when she saw her husband donating blood so frequently. At that time, Thanh was the one who helped his wife learn about the benefits of donating blood. In particular, the young man often shared touching images and stories about patients at the National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion so that his relatives and friends could see the meaning of what he was doing.

Gradually, Thanh’s wife became a companion in donating blood and platelets. “My wife just donated blood for the first time. We are very happy to do something useful for the community. Before that, she was not eligible to donate blood and even had to have a blood transfusion. Therefore, her first blood donation became even more meaningful to both of us,” Thanh confided.

Not only actively participating in voluntary blood donation, Thanh also mobilized donations of clothes and books to give to children in mountainous areas so that they could have better learning conditions. At that time, the young man directly acted as a "transporter" and connected kind-hearted people to children in difficult circumstances.

With outstanding achievements in blood donation and volunteer work, Thanh was awarded the title "Good person, good deed" by the Chairman of Hanoi People's Committee; Certificate of Merit for outstanding achievements in platelet donation by the Director of the Central Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion.

In particular, the young man was in the top 10 "Outstanding Young Faces of the Capital" in 2023 awarded by the Hanoi Youth Union.

Thanh said, “The title of “Outstanding Young Face of the Capital” is a very noble award, while what I have done is still very small. Therefore, I will try harder and do more practical work to contribute to the community.”