Workers and students are identified as the major groups of faithful blood donors in Da Nang. However, it is normal to see a shortage of blood collected from the public for treatment and emergency cases during the summer. The partly reason is thought to be summer vacation for students so they return to their hometowns for resting.

Tran Van Thong, a worker from the Hoa Tho Textiles and Garments Corporation is seen donating his blood

In response to the reality, relevant agencies are now promoting voluntary blood donation campaigns, especially targeted at labour intensive businesses across the city, in an effort to ensure sufficient blood supplies for emergency cases and treatment in local hospitals.

More recently, a total of more than 350 workers from 4 textiles and garments companies operating in the city participated in a voluntary blood donation campaign initiated by functional bodies. Encouragingly, a total of 290 units of blood were collected from this meaningful event, of which 220 units were donated by 250 workers from the city-based Hoa Tho Textiles and Garments Corporation.

This was the second time this year that this company’s employees had joined in blood donation, following the first at the Lunar New Year 2019, in which more than 150 units of blood in total were donated by about 200 workers.

It is known that, over the past decade, thousands of units of blood were donated by the company’s staff.

Tran Van Thong, 41, residing in Hoa Khuong Commune, Hoa Vang District and working at the Veston factory of the Hoa Tho corporation, has donated his blood 24 times up to now. He underscored that giving blood is an act of charity honouring the love of humanity, and the precious blood drops will save many lives. “Blood donations do not harm my health at all; by contras, I even feel better”, said the kind-hearted man.

In a similar vein, despite his age, 52-year-old Le Van Son, a resident from Hai Chau District, has actively involved in donating blood. Understanding how important and noble blood donations are, he realises that with just some of his donated blood units, he can help save one person on the narrow ledge between life and death.

Also, Vu Chau Phong, a 46-year-old male resident from Cam Le District has donated blood over 66 times over the past 25 years. It is more praiseworthy as he vows to keep giving his blood until he cannot. He is always willing to put aside his personal errands to give blood to much-needed patients whenever he receives an urgent call from any hospitals in the city, regardless of whether it is during the day or at night.

According to the municipal Steering Committee for Voluntarily Blood Donation Mobilisation, focus has been on encouraging all people from all walks of life to donate their blood through a wide range of publicity activities on its website, Facebook and other social networks.

Since the start of the year, a total of more than 20,000 units of blood have been collected from voluntary campaigns.

It is a good idea for the city to develop bloodmobile, known as mobile blood donation centres, which are specialised vehicles (usually buses or large vans) equipped with everything necessary for a blood donation procedure. Blood drives involving bloodmobiles usually happen in public places.

Besides, a fixed blood donation point outside the Department of Hematology and Blood Transfusion at the Da Nang General Hospital should be set up in the coming time.

Da Nang has the highest number of blood donors in the country, accounting for about 3.3% of its population.

The city now has a total of 21 blood donation clubs with a total of more than 585 members.

The city is aiming to ensure that, by the end of 2020, 3.5% of the local population who fall within the blood donation age range will be donating, and 60% of existing donors will be willing to donate again.