Lasting impression of first-time voluntary blood donors

On average, hundreds of people in Dong Nai take part in voluntary blood donation (VBD) each day, many of them donating for the first time. This reality not only reflects the noble humanitarian spirit of Dong Nai residents but also directly contributes to public healthcare and the province's overall achievements in VBD work.

Residents of Phuoc Binh ward participate in voluntary blood donation. Photo: Thu Hien

A typical example is Lam Gia Huy, an 18-year-old from Tran Bien Ward, Dong Nai Province, who donated blood for the first time on March 9, 2026. After donating, he received gifts and his first VBD certificate from the provincial Red Cross. For him, it was a memorable and meaningful experience.

A meaningful act within everyone’s reach

In 2025, Dong Nai mobilized and collected more than 51,000 units of donated blood, with first-time donors accounting for nearly 20%. In 2026, the province has been assigned a target of collecting over 60,000 units. Since the beginning of the year, a large number of residents have actively participated in blood donation campaigns, including many young people who have just reached adulthood.

According to Ha Trung Kien, Vice Chairman of the Dong Nai Red Cross, it is thanks to such meaningful contributions that the province has consistently been among the country’s leading localities in voluntary blood donation. In 2025, Dong Nai ranked 19th nationwide in total blood collection.

The Vice Chairman of the Provincial Red Cross Society also said that the Provincial Steering Committee for VBD and the Provincial Red Cross hope that people will continue to promote the noble gesture of donating blood to save lives by participating in VBD activities scheduled for 2026.

Tran Quy Bao, from Phu Nghia Commune, had his first VBD at the age of 18. Bao said: Many people in the neighborhood have donated blood, and he noticed that everyone was happy to do good. Those who have donated blood many times still live and work normally. Those who donate blood many times are even praised and rewarded by the province and the central government... This information helped him be more confident when registering for his first blood donation. From his own experience, he will continue to maintain good health for his next blood donation.

Similarly, Cao Ba Quan, from Phuoc Long Ward, who also had his first VBD at the age of 18, proudly shared his first donation certificate on social media and received enthusiastic encouragement. His experience and the knowledge provided by the Red Cross representative have even helped him become a source of information for others who are considering donating for the first time.

Meanwhile, Nguyen Thi Thanh Thuy of Tam Hiep Ward, though already in her late 20s, made her first blood donation in early 2026. She said that, for personal reasons, she had missed several blood donation drives over the past two years. She felt, first of all, that what she was doing was helpful to those around her. In addition, when she came to the donation site, meeting people who had donated many times and listening to their conversations helped her realize that this is a good and simple act to carry out, as long as one is healthy enough. She therefore plans to make her second donation four months later.

Striving for 20% first-time blood donors each year

According to Ha Trung Kien, Vice Chairman of the Dong Nai Provincial Red Cross Society, the VBD reception target for 2026 assigned by the National Steering Committee for VBD is equivalent to the entire Dong Nai province striving to achieve 1.39% or more of the population participating in VBD. To this end, the province aims to have over 80% of the blood units received come from repeat donors (the national average is 30%). The remaining approximately 20% of voluntary blood donations will come from new donors.

To achieve this, the province has introduced a range of measures, including stepping up communication through coordination with Dong Nai Newspaper, Radio, Television and other press agencies; working with communes and wards and using social media to provide the public with information on the timing and locations of blood donation drives, as well as events honoring repeat blood donors, exemplary blood-donor families, and agencies making active contributions to VBD work. Particular attention is paid to final-year high school students turning 18, university students, and adults who have never donated blood.

In addition, the Provincial Red Cross Society also develops a voluntary blood donation schedule with an average of one session every two days and, based on the working hours, study schedules, age, etc., of each group of blood donors, makes appropriate distributions of locations and times for blood collection drives throughout the year. Specifically, blood collection drives will be organized simultaneously in the first quarter of each year to avoid exam periods for both students and teachers.

At the same time, the province continues to recognize and honor frequent donors, exemplary families, and organizations actively supporting blood donation activities. These efforts serve as motivation for individuals and collectives to continue participating in the VBD movement.

Concurrently, according to Ha Trung Kien, the Provincial Red Cross Society also strengthens inspection and supervision campaigns for blood collection at communes, wards, and units, ensuring compliance with professional procedures and regulations and maintaining the safety of blood donation. They promptly meet, counsel, and encourage first-time blood donors so that everyone feels secure on their journey to perform this humanitarian act, with the message: “A drop of blood given – a life saved.”

By Van Truyen, Thu Hien – Translated by Mai Nga, Minho