Having congenital hemolytic anemia, for the past 16 years, Ms. Duong Bich Ngoc and her son (from Vinh Phuc) have had to go to the National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion for blood transfusions every month. Ms. Ngoc said: "My life was saved thanks to voluntary blood donors."
Ms. Duong Bich Ngoc shared at the Red Sunday press conference - Photo: T.CHIEN
On the afternoon of December 19, Tien Phong newspaper coordinated with the National Traffic Safety Committee, the National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union and other units to hold a press conference to provide information about the 17th Red Sunday program.
Lives saved by blood donors
Sharing at the program, Ms. Duong Bich Ngoc calculated that over the past years, she and her 16-year-old son have received more than 800 units of blood. Because every month, the mother and son go to the hospital for about ten days, continuously like that since 2008. This number will continue to increase.
As a long-time patient at the hospital, Ms. Ngoc has witnessed many changes in blood donation activities. Many years ago, when the blood donation movement was not as active as it is now, blood shortages often occurred before Tet, during the summer.
"Because at that time, there were usually no voluntary blood donors. Now, thanks to the sharing of the community, the blood supply for treating patients has become more stable. Every time Tet comes, we just hope to be treated early so we can return to our families," Ngoc shared and thanked the affection of the brothers, sisters, uncles and aunts who donated precious drops of blood.
"Because every drop of blood given to a patient is giving us life and hope so that we have enough health to continue our work," Ms. Ngoc said emotionally.
Mr. Tinh (53 years old), a patient who has been treated for bone marrow failure for 16 years at the National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, also shared that he has to receive 3-4 liters of blood transfusions every month to maintain his life. He sent his thanks to those who donated blood voluntarily, helping him and other patients in need of blood to prolong their lives.
One of the voluntary blood donation programs that has been consistently implemented over the years is the Red Sunday Blood Donation Festival. The program has been held since 2009 in the context of a shortage of blood for emergency and treatment at medical facilities before and after the Lunar New Year.
Miss Do Thi Ha gives gifts to children being treated at the National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion - Photo: T.CHIEN
Meeting the treatment needs of patients during Tet holiday
Journalist Phung Cong Suong, editor-in-chief of Tien Phong newspaper and head of the organizing committee of Red Sunday 2025, shared that in 16 years of organization, the greatest achievement of the program is contributing to changing people's awareness, especially young people, about donating blood to save lives.
"This is demonstrated by the fact that in the first year of Red Sunday, less than 100 units of blood were collected. To date, Red Sunday has spread to 55 provinces and cities across the country, receiving an average of about 55,000 units of blood annually.
Many young people and groups have organized blood donation meetings, many youth organizations have established clubs and teams to donate blood regularly, regardless of time or circumstance, they can donate their blood to patients in need of blood," said Mr. Suong.
Mr. Nguyen Ha Thanh, Director of the National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, acknowledged the program's contribution to the national voluntary blood donation movement, which has increasingly moved and called on many people from all walks of life to participate.
"The blood shortage during Tet is no longer as alarming as before. Taking place in the middle of cold winter days, the Red Sunday festivals have never been deserted, all participants join together to create an enthusiastic atmosphere, coming to give each other the warmth of human love, giving gifts of life to countless lives," Mr. Thanh shared.
This year’s Red Sunday program will be implemented on a moderate scale. The launching ceremony will be held in Hanoi and a number of provinces, cities, units, businesses, schools, etc. in accordance with the actual blood demand situation in the locality, aiming to meet the demand for blood during and after the Lunar New Year.
Source: https://tuoitre.vn/hai-me-con-duoc-cuu-song-suot-16-nam-nho-nhung-nguoi-hien-mau-20241219174742946.htm
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