Truong Sa soldier couple donates platelets more than 100 times

After completing his duty of guarding the islands of his homeland, Mr. Tran Van Toan (from Me Linh, Hanoi) returned home and, together with his wife, carried out a new 'mission', which was to donate platelets to save the lives of patients.

Mr. Tran Van Toan, his wife and granddaughter participated in the program Meeting outstanding platelet donors in 2024 - Photo: D.LIEU

The whole family went to donate platelets.

On October 26, the National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion organized a program to meet outstanding voluntary platelet donors in 2024 with the message "Donate golden blood - Give thousands of hopes".

The event aims to honor and express gratitude to individuals and groups who regularly donate platelets - those who have contributed to fully and promptly meeting the demand for platelet products for emergency and treatment.

Present at the program, Mr. Tran Van Toan (59 years old, from Me Linh, Hanoi) - one of the 200 typical platelet donors this year - shared that before retiring, he spent more than 20 years guarding his homeland's sea and islands.

He said that while on duty in the islands of the Truong Sa archipelago, he did not have the opportunity to donate blood or platelets. It was not until 2017, after retiring and returning home, that he learned about donating blood and platelets. Since then, the spirit of a soldier has urged Mr. Toan to perform this act of charity regularly every month.

Accompanying Mr. Toan on his volunteer journey is his wife, Mrs. Vuong Thi Hoa. Up to now, the couple has donated platelets more than 100 times.

Mr. Toan added that the spirit of donating blood to save lives spread throughout his extended family. Once, his daughter-in-law, son-in-law, children, and grandchildren,... more than 11 people went together to donate blood and platelets.

"I feel happy because my blood can save other patients," Mr. Toan said with a smile.

Mr. Chinh and his son took advantage of the opportunity to arrive at the hospital early to donate platelets before attending the gratitude program - Photo: D.LIEU

Also a typical blood donor this year, Mr. Nguyen Van Chinh (Central Lung Hospital, Hanoi) and his son took advantage of the opportunity to come to the hospital early to donate platelets. The little boy lay next to his father and chatted, perhaps the boy was familiar with the image of his father coming to the hospital every month like that.

Mr. Chinh shared that he started donating platelets about 3 years ago and has donated platelets nearly 60 times so far.

"Because of my busy work schedule, I try to arrange weekends to go to the hospital to donate platelets. My child usually has a day off from school on weekends, so I will take him along to look after him and inspire him. In the future, I hope he will also have a volunteer spirit to help others," said Mr. Chinh.

Platelet donors are increasing

At the program, Mr. Tran Ngoc Que - Director of the National Blood Center, National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion - expressed his gratitude to those who volunteered to donate platelets.

Mr. Que said that in 2014, the institute received nearly 1,000 units of platelets, and this year the institute has received nearly 30,000 units of platelets from 8,372 donors. The number of platelet donors and the number of times a person donates platelets per year have both increased.

Participants understand platelets increase over the years - Photo: D.LIEU

"Unlike donating whole blood, which requires waiting nearly 3 months to donate again, donating platelets only takes 2-3 weeks, so a person can donate up to nearly 20 times in a year.

However, due to the very short preservation and storage period (maximum 5 days), platelet reception and preparation must be based on the needs of hospitals and patients.

That is why in recent years, the institute has updated the daily estimated demand on the software and encouraged platelet donors to register before coming.

Donated platelets have saved the lives of many patients. These include patients with thrombocytopenic purpura, platelet dysfunction, bone marrow failure, myelodysplasia, leukemia or cancers that have metastasized to the bone marrow...

"The 'golden drops of blood' have given patients another chance to live and overcome serious illness," said Mr. Que.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/vo-chong-nguoi-linh-truong-sa-hon-100-lan-hien-tieu-cau-20241026110716569.htm