"Summer of Charity" in Hanoi spreads kindness
Launched in response to World Blood Donor Day on June 14, the campaign aims to spread love, compassion, and solidarity, offering hope and happiness to countless patients through life-saving donations.
THE HANOI TIMES — The Hanoi Red Cross Society, along with other organizations, has launched the 'Summer of Charity' campaign to honor donors and boost participation in blood donation.
An overview of "Summer of Charity" in Hanoi. Photos: Anh Kiet/The Hanoi Times
Without being noisy or ostentatious, many young people have been showing kindness and social responsibility in their own way.
“I have participated in five blood donation events. Good deeds don't require special conditions; they just require a heart ready to give," said Dam Minh Thong, a student at the Vietnam University of Commerce on Ho Tung Mau Street, in an interview with The Hanoi Times.
For Thong, blood donation is a way of showing love and supporting patients undergoing difficult treatments. He is proud of his meaningful work and plans to participate in more volunteer activities in the future.
Small things, big meaning
"Summer of Charity" coincides with World Blood Donor Day (June 14) and aims to ensure a safe and sustainable blood supply for those in need.
Ngo Manh Quan, President of the Vietnam Youth Blood Donation Association, believes that giving is very simple and sometimes there is no need to seek recognition. “As long as there is a spirit of willingness to give, without seeking benefits, everyone can do useful things,” he said.
“To keep this movement thriving, we called for sustained efforts to promote individuals, families, and collectives who help to make voluntary blood donation a widespread and sustainable cultural practice,” Quan told The Hanoi Times.
One unit of safe blood can save up to three lives. This year's theme, "Give blood, give hope: Together, we save lives," highlights the life-changing impact that blood donors have on people in need. It celebrates the power of community and solidarity in saving lives through the simple act of giving blood.
The "Summer of Charity" highlighted the selflessness of those who have collectively donated thousands of units of blood and platelets, averaging 48 donations each.
Dr. Tran Ngoc Que, Director of the National Blood Center under the National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion (NIHBT), said that more than 1.4 million units of blood are collected each year, which meets the demand for blood in medical emergencies and treatments.
"Thanks to blood donation drives and changes in people's mindset, no blood shortages have been reported during the summer," said the director.
He added that the NIHBT is working to open more blood donation sites nationwide. “The campaign focuses on patients requiring lifelong transfusion support so that all patients in need can receive timely treatment. It also emphasizes the role that each person can play by giving the valuable gift of blood or plasma," Que shared with The Hanoi Times.
Young volunteers of Hanoi Youth Blood Donation Association are ready to welcome and support blood donors from their first steps at the "Summer of Charity".
Many Hanoi Youth Blood Donation Association volunteers are on hand to support blood donors during the campaign.
World Blood Donor Day, established by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2004, is observed every year on June 14 to promote voluntary blood donation and thank donors worldwide for their life-saving contributions.
The day serves as a call to action for governments and national health authorities to provide adequate resources to increase the collection of blood from voluntary, unpaid donors and to ensure access to safe blood and transfusion services for all who require them, according to WHO.
Voluntary blood donation campaigns have been conducted in Vietnam since the 1990s and have gained further momentum since the Prime Minister established the National Steering Committee for Voluntary Blood Donation on February 23, 2008.
Hanoi tops the country for blood donation
The campaign has seen significant growth in Vietnam, with a large number of blood units collected annually, and Hanoi is a leading contributor to this movement.
Students from the Vietnam Academy of Traditional Medicine participate in this life-saving activity.
According to Dr. Tran Ngoc Que, the Hanoi Youth Blood Donation Association has mobilized over 55,000 units of blood for 2024, raising the city's blood donor rate to 3.8%, the highest in the country. "Over the past 20 years, the program has received approximately 40,000 units of blood, raising awareness of volunteerism and voluntary blood donation among young people and students in the capital," he cited.
"Hanoi leads the voluntary blood donation movement in the whole country. Nearly 31 years ago, the first voluntary blood donation day in Vietnam was held in the capital," the director said, adding that thanks to the safe, high-quality blood supply, the National Blood Center has provided blood to more than 180 hospitals and medical facilities nationwide.
Donors receive gifts and a blood donation certificate allowing them to receive up to the same amount of blood they donated for free if needed.
"Regardless of time, weather, sunshine, rain or distance, the volunteers' unwavering enthusiasm and commitment to promoting voluntary blood donation has amazed me. These activities help young people build a good lifestyle and character," Que told The Hanoi Times.
Voluntary blood donation has developed in both quality and quantity in the 2019-2024 period, ensuring the emergency and treatment needs of patients. "We has invited people with blood types O and A to donate blood, and is a pioneer in joining hands to overcome anemia at all times, as the shortage of blood types A and O is the most severe," said the director.
Nguyen Van Anh from the University of Public Health donates blood at the "Summer of Charity".
Dao Chi Nhan, a Vietnamese actor, joined others in donating blood.
Actress Bao Thanh takes part in "Summer of Charity" in Hanoi.
The voluntary blood donation movement in the capital city attracts people from all walks of life, including civil servants, religious leaders, and workers. The following are meaningful photos taken at "Summer of Charity":
