For Mr. Tran Phuoc Hung, every passing moment is precious and meaningful. He is always ready to listen and share with those in need, especially patients requiring blood for treatment. Whether they are nearby or far away, he offers his help with a heart full of compassion. Mr. Tran Phuoc Hung, aged 43, is the Chairman of the “Understanding and Love” Club under the Red Cross Society of Ngu Hanh Son District.

Mr. Tran Phuoc Hung (second from the left, front row) at the National Ceremony to Honour Outstanding Blood Donors in 2024.

During our conversation on the morning of October 19, his phone rang constantly as the hospital urgently required platelets for a child being treated at the Da Nang Maternity and Paediatrics Hospital. Without hesitation, Mr. Hung immediately called volunteers from the club to donate blood, ensuring the patient received timely care.

Mr. Hung reflected that in life, everyone encounters moments of hardship, and giving often brings more in return. As a result, he never hesitates to respond to blood donation requests, regardless of the time or weather.

Over the past decade, since his first voluntary blood donation, he has donated blood 65 times, including 55 platelet donations across various hospitals and charitable events throughout Da Nang and surrounding areas.

In 2015, while working for the Mai Linh Taxi Company, Mr. Hung often visited patients at the Da Nang Maternity and Paediatrics Hospital during his free time. He became aware of the urgent need for blood and was deeply moved to act. Inspired by this, he decided to live a more selfless life, helping those in need of life-saving blood.

This led him to establish the “Understanding and Love” Club, which has since collected over 6,000 units of blood and assisted more than 1,240 patients across various locations. The club has grown significantly, starting with just a few members and now boasting 2,717 volunteers, with new recruits joining daily.

On a daily basis, Mr. Hung receives an average of 10 calls each day from patients’ families seeking blood donations. He has become known as the “hotline” for life-saving blood. When a case is particularly challenging, he collaborates with other clubs to ensure patients get the help they need. According to Mr. Hung, around 90% of calls are successfully resolved.

Once a request is received, he verifies the patient’s condition at the hospital and coordinates with his volunteers to provide the necessary blood type. The most difficult times are during bad weather or late at night, but the club members are always ready to respond to urgent cases, no matter the circumstances.

In addition, he utilises a mobile app developed by one of the club’s board members, which stores detailed information about each volunteer’s blood donation history, availability, blood type, and health conditions. The app allows quick identification of suitable donors, ensuring timely assistance for patients.

Beyond his dedication to blood donation, Mr. Hung actively raises funds from philanthropists to support various charitable activities. These include providing scholarships to underprivileged students, building houses for disadvantaged families, and helping those in remote areas of Quang Nam and Quang Tri provinces, with donations totalling hundreds of millions of VND annually.

One recent case involved a child, Th.Nh., who had been receiving long-term treatment at the Da Nang Maternity and Paediatrics Hospital. The family faced financial difficulties, and the mother, Ng.Th.H., couldn’t afford the medical equipment needed for home care. After learning of their situation, Hung raised over VND 31 million from donors to purchase an oxygen generator, a suction machine, a medical bed, and other necessary equipment, allowing the family to bring their child home as they had wished.

Mr. Hung shared with us an album filled with memories, including photos of patients he had helped and messages of gratitude from young patients battling cancer. Some messages were heartbreaking, recording the passing of children who lost their fight against illness.

In recognition of his contributions, Mr. Hung and his club have been honoured by various organisations. In 2020, he was one of 21 individuals and groups recognised in the “I Love Da Nang” programme. The Vietnamese Red Cross Society, the Da Nang People’s Committee, and other local organisations have also awarded him certificates of commendation. In 2024, the National Committee for Voluntary Blood Donation honoured Mr. Hung as a national role model for blood donation.

Reporting by MY HANG - Translating by TRUC VY