Sunday of noble deeds

((Baonghean.vn) - Since being jointly organized by Tien Phong Newspaper and the National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion in 2009, Red Sunday has become one of the most anticipated events at the end of each year. On the morning of January 25, 2015, along with many localities across the country, in Nghe An, thousands of people participated in the voluntary blood donation festival - Red Sunday.

Scene of the Red Sunday launching ceremony

Ms. Nguyen Luong Hong - President of the Provincial Red Cross Association opened the festival.

6am on Sunday morning, the whole city of Vinh (Nghe An) was covered in a thick fog. It was a holiday so the city was quieter. However, at this time on Ho Tung Mau street, there were many young people wearing red uniforms and yellow stars printed on their chests, their faces radiant, all looking towards the Provincial Cultural Information Center where the Red Sunday festival would take place. In the large yard of the Center, there was a very lively space. There were still young people, here was a group setting up tables and chairs, there was a group setting up a playground. Notice, a young man holding a loudspeaker, his feet constantly moving, sometimes instructing the reception staff, sometimes instructing the volunteers.

When asked, we found out that the young man was Nguyen Ngoc Anh - Head of the Vinh City Blood Bank Club. "Tired but happy, bro" - That was the first sentence Ngoc Anh shared. Ngoc Anh also said that the Vinh City Blood Bank Club currently has 25 propagandists and more than 250 members. The club members include students from all universities and colleges in the city. In addition, recently the club has attracted a large number of cadres, civil servants, and public employees in departments, branches, agencies, units, and enterprises to participate. Nguyen Ngoc Anh said that the club regularly coordinates with the Provincial Hematology and Blood Transfusion Center, the Provincial Youth Union, and the Provincial Red Cross to participate in voluntary blood donation festivals.

Not counting the cases of voluntary blood donation when needed, each year the Club participates in 3 large programs and 4 small programs. In 2014, 1,175 units of blood were donated, adding to the province's blood supply. In the Club, there are members who have donated blood 15 times. Nguyen Ngoc Anh has donated blood 12 times. Ngoc Anh smiled happily: "Many people think that donating blood will affect health. That's not true. With the guidance and help of doctors at the Provincial Hematology and Blood Transfusion Center, through the blood donations, I feel healthier. The important thing is that everyone in the Club sees the meaning of their actions."

Volunteers register to donate blood

Volunteers register to donate blood

In fact, the end of each year is the time when people everywhere prepare to celebrate the traditional New Year. While most people are on holiday, many patients in hospitals and medical centers still have to continue treatment. In addition, at the end of the year, many accidents, injuries and risks often occur, requiring a large amount of blood. Meanwhile, the current blood reserve is seriously lacking. Therefore, the Provincial Red Cross Association in coordination with the Tien Phong Newspaper Representative Board, the Provincial Youth Union, and the Provincial Hematology and Blood Transfusion Center organized Red Sunday, which has a very noble and humane meaning. Thereby demonstrating a deep sense of responsibility, sharing drops of red blood to save lives and lives that are unfortunately at risk.

This year's Red Sunday was also attended by Mr. Hoang Viet Duong - Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee and representatives of Departments, branches, sectors, and cities; leaders of hospitals and medical centers in the city. Mr. Nguyen Van Huong - Deputy Director of Nghe An General Hospital said that the voluntary blood donation festival is a very noble gesture that demonstrates the morality of loving others as if loving oneself of our nation. In particular, there are two times of severe blood shortage in the year: summer and Lunar New Year. The blood collected from each voluntary organization will be transferred to all hospitals in the province, thereby contributing to saving the lives of patients.

Blood test before admission

Mr. Hong Toai - Member of Nghe An Newspaper Youth Union participated in blood donation

For Nghe An province, on average, 60,000 units of blood are needed each year to provide for patients at hospitals and medical centers in the province. Meanwhile, the blood reserve has not yet met 1/3 of the demand. Mr. Nguyen Tam Thanh - Provincial Hematology and Blood Transfusion Center said that during the Red Sunday week in 2014, the Center received 1,217 units of blood donated by volunteers. This year's festival, with the call for 3,000 people from agencies, organizations and units to participate, the Hematology and Blood Transfusion Center hopes to receive about 1,500 units of blood to supplement the reserve to save patients' lives.

Many girls also participate in the Red Sunday Festival.

Smiles sharing blood drops

Organizers hope to collect about 1,500 units of blood after Red Sunday.

“Every drop of blood given – A life saved” – That is the message of this year’s Red Sunday festival. With the noble gesture of the voluntary blood donation festival, the difficulties of the medical sector will be reduced, many lives, many faces will smile again and continue to nurture the desire for faith and happiness.

Dao Tuan