The story of a woman who donated blood 28 times to save lives

Knowing the information from Nghe An Hematology and Blood Transfusion Center, we visited the family of Ms. Truong Thi Dung (54 years old), in Quynh Thuan commune (Quynh Luu). In the small 3-room house that has been degraded, before our eyes is an honest, simple rural woman and we admire her even more because, up to now, this woman has donated blood 28 times to save people.

Talking, Ms. Dung smiled: “It’s not a big deal, donating blood to save people is what I have been doing for many years. “A drop of blood given, a life saved”, currently many patients are in dire need of blood to overcome the critical condition, so I decided that as long as I have good health and conditions, I will continue to donate blood until I can no longer give.”

Ms. Truong Thi Dung in Quynh Thuan commune (Quynh Luu) has donated blood 28 times after nearly 9 years. Photo: PV

Ms. Dung was born into a poor farming family with 5 siblings. After finishing 12th grade, she just stayed at home. Life was hard, combined with her nature of having little contact with the outside world, it was not until she was 39 years old that she got married to an older man in a neighboring commune. After 1 year of marriage, her husband was diagnosed with leukemia, and the couple went to hospitals together for treatment. Since then, in addition to their family home, the hospital has become a familiar place for the couple. During her time at the hospital, Ms. Dung witnessed many critical cases that needed blood transfusions to overcome death. After that time, she volunteered to donate blood to save lives.

Ms. Dung said: In 2014, when she took her husband to Nghe An General Hospital for treatment, she saw a man knocking on each door to ask for blood type O to save her child. The panic and anxiety were clearly shown on the man's face, if he could not get blood, the risk of death for his child was very high. At that time, her mind was urged to help such cases, so she asked her husband's opinion and received his consent. When she went to do the testing procedures, Ms. Dung had the right blood type O and ensured the health conditions to donate. That young patient was lucky to be able totimely blood transfusion to overcome the critical condition.

After that blood donation, Ms. Dung felt so relieved. She thought that simply donating a little blood could save so many people in need, so why not do it!

On another occasion when she took her husband for treatment, there was a male patient in the room with leukemia similar to her husband. Because the right blood type had not been found, this patient had to wait for many days with constant pain. When asked, Ms. Dung learned that this patient needed a blood transfusion to sustain his life. Without hesitation, she immediately went to Nghe An Hematology and Blood Transfusion Center to register to donate blood to save a life...

Since then, every 3 months, Dung rides her motorbike with her husband nearly 100 km from her hometown to Nghe An Hematology and Blood Transfusion Center to register for voluntary blood donation, combined with treatment for her husband.

“In the first years of donating blood, many people thought I was crazy or that I was donating blood for some reason. But I didn’t care about what people said and was willing to share my precious blood with patients who needed it. I remember, from the first to the 17th time I donated 250ml of blood each time; from the 18th time until now I have regularly donated 350ml of blood each time. After nearly 9 years, I have donated blood 28 times. Each time, I drink a lot of water. Only about 2 days later I felt back to normal,” Dung shared.

Ms. Dung's voluntary blood donation certificate.

Not only donating blood, Ms. Dung also spreads positivity to relatives and friends, especially deeply influencing her children. Ms. Dung's daughter, Truong Thi Huyen, said: "I am very proud of my mother. She is the one who transmits the energy of humanity and sharing with the unfortunate. When I was a student, my mother taught me that when I was healthy enough, I could participate in voluntary blood donation. Remembering my mother's words, I have donated blood 5 times so far. When I have the opportunity, I will continue to donate blood to save people."

Dr. Pham Van Thai - Deputy Director of Nghe An Hematology and Blood Transfusion Center said: "In recent years, the Hematology and Blood Transfusion Center has received very rare blood units, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic, contributing to maintaining the lives of patients. Among them, a typical example is Ms. Truong Thi Dung from Quynh Luu district who has donated blood 28 times so far. Every 3-4 months, she comes to the center to donate blood. Her repeated blood donations have been recognized by the center and expanded throughout the province."

Despite the difficult family circumstances, her husband being sick often, and the difficulties, Ms. Truong Thi Dung always lives optimistically and kindly. She always tells herself that as long as she is healthy, she will continue to donate blood and will encourage more people to do the same.