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| Van Sinh, the man who have donated blood 86 times |
Nearly 30 years of blood donation
It all began on an ordinary day in 1997 Van Sinh went to the hospital to care for a relative. In the hospital corridors, he witnessed patients struggling for life due to blood shortages, anxious family members running in distress, and doctors rushing to find blood donors. The desperate looks, the sighs, the calls echoing down the hallways, all left a deep impression on the humble farmer.
When he returned home, those images lingered: “I don’t have money or wealth to help others, but I’m healthy, so why not share what’s most precious that I have?” That simple thought marked the beginning of a profoundly humane journey.
The first time he donated blood, he was nervous, but afterward, he felt light and fulfilled. Since then, he stopped counting; all he knew was that whenever someone needed help, or whenever there was a donation drive, he would go. Nearly 30 years having passed, he has given blood 86 times, 81 of which were whole-blood donations. Consistent, steady, and faithful, like a silent promise to himself.
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| Van Sinh during one of his many donations |
Blood donation is a noble act, yet at times, it also comes with its own share of heartache. Sinh recalls an occasion when he heard that a patient from another province was in critical condition, he set off to donate blood without hesitation. At first, the patient’s family was deeply moved, expressing their gratitude and calling him repeatedly. But just a few days later, perhaps misunderstanding that he had sold his blood for money, they suddenly stopped all contact. “It hurt, of course. I only wanted to help from the heart. But I’ve gotten used to it, there are still plenty of people who understand,” he said with a gentle smile.
For Sinh, there are countless unforgettable memories. Once, during a major flood when water submerged the fields and roads, he received an urgent call from the hospital asking for emergency blood supplies. Without a second thought, he waded nearly ten kilometers through floodwaters, clothes soaked, legs caked in mud, but his eyes remained bright. “I was tired, sure, but happier knowing my blood could help someone recover,” he said softly, rubbing the small scar left by the needle.
On another occasion, a patient needed six units of blood at once. One donor alone wasn’t enough, so Sinh immediately contacted the Tan Xuan Lai Live Blood Bank Club, which he has founded, to mobilize members. Together, they set out like a silent army carrying a mission of renewal. Their greatest joy came when the patient pulled through, regained strength, and smiled while stepping out of the hospital bed.
“Every donation is a moment of touching life itself. The firm handshakes, grateful eyes, and tears of emotion, to me, those are the greatest rewards,” Sinh said, his voice trembling with feeling.
To Sinh, blood donation is not just an act of saving lives; it is also a profound expression of learning and following the moral example of President Ho Chi Minh. He often says: “To follow Uncle Ho is to start from the simplest things, doing good for others, doing something kind every day”.
Beyond donating blood, Sinh also takes part in campaigns encouraging blood, organ, and tissue donation; serves in the village’s Fatherland Front committee; supports flood-affected communities, poor households, and COVID-19 relief efforts. Sinh recalls that in 2020, upon hearing news of a flash flood devastating mountainous areas in Quang Tri Province, he and several others quickly mobilized donations of money and essential goods. Within just a few hours, nearly 500 kilograms of supplies such as rice, instant noodles, and bottled water… were loaded onto a truck and sent out overnight. When they arrived and saw villagers struggling to clean up debris and rebuild homes swept away by landslides, many could not hold back their tears.
Sinh’s compassion has not only touched his local community but has also been honored nationwide. He was previously recognized at the National Ceremony for Outstanding Blood Donors. Recently, he was the only individual nominated by Hue City Party Committee for national commendation at the 10-year review of Directive No. 05 (2016-2025). It was a great honor, yet when asked about it, he humbly replied: “What I do comes from the heart. I don’t seek recognition”.
A life of kindness passed on
The daily life of Sinh’s family is as simple as that of any rural household. At 1 a.m., he and his wife rise to gather rau ma (pennywort) in the fields. By 3 a.m., they’re already cooking bun (a noodle dish) to sell at the village market. During the day, Sinh tends buffalo for hire, and in late afternoon, he takes care of household chores and their small garden. His life is one of constant labor, yet never without a smile.
His example of integrity and kindness has deeply influenced his children. His second daughter, now in her final year of university, has donated blood seven times and registered as a tissue donor, carrying forward her father’s compassionate legacy.
This year, at 53, Sinh remains in good health and full of energy. Each time blood donation is mentioned, his eyes light up. He has set a goal of reaching 100 donations, or more. When asked about his greatest wish, he simply says, “As long as I’m healthy, I’ll keep donating. Every life saved is another blessing”.
A simple statement, free of embellishment, yet it reveals a vast heart. In every drop of blood he gives, flows a current of love, the light of compassion and the rhythm of life passed from heart to heart. Not everyone can do what he has done, but everyone can learn from him: to live simply yet kindly, to give without expecting return, to show love through even the smallest deeds.
Through the story of Van Sinh, an ordinary farmer with an extraordinary heart, we better understand the power of compassion. In today’s fast-paced world of calculations and concerns, kindness still endures: quiet but steadfast, like a small flame lighting up a whole village. And Sinh himself, who has chosen to follow President Ho Chi Minh’s example through the way he lives, stands as living proof of one simple truth: “To live well and kindly is the most beautiful way to serve life”.
In 2020, Sinh and fellow volunteers founded the Tan Xuan Lai Live Blood Bank Club. Started out with 20 members, the foundation has now grown to 34, including 14 who have registered for organ donation. The club operates under the motto “Giving is Forever” and stands ready to respond to any call for blood, anytime, anywhere. It also promotes awareness about blood and organ donation, spreading compassion throughout local communities.