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| Whether they are teachers, officers, or workers, members of the Platelet Donation Club of Huong Thuy Town are always ready to answer the call when someone is in need. |
Compassionate hearts
Every Sunday morning, members of the Huong Thuy Town Platelet Donation Club gather at the Hematology and Blood Transfusion Center of Hue Central Hospital. Without fanfare or publicity, they quietly step into the donation room - each donating a unit of platelets, a portion of their living blood to help others survive critical illness.
From a small group of just 10 members in 2020, the club has grown to 50 ones and has been consistently active for the past four years.
Different from whole blood donation, platelet donation takes longer, requires more advanced techniques, and donors must be in good and regular health. "At first, people were hesitant, but after a few donations and seeing that their health remained stable, they gained trust and have stayed committed," said Ms. Huynh Ngoc Trang, Chairwoman of the Huong Thuy Town Red Cross and Club Leader.
After each donation, the club members often give away their gifts, such as milk or snacks, to cancer patients being treated at Hue Central Hospital. When emergency cases arise, they are willing to donate immediately, without waiting for scheduled dates. "As soon as we receive a call, anyone who can manage their schedule will head out right away," Ms. Trang shared.
Each year, on average, the club organizes about 48 platelet donation drives a year, with each event involving 10-15 participants, totaling nearly 400 units annually. Notably, although entirely voluntary, the club has not encountered any difficulty in maintaining operations. According to Ms. Trang, it is the members’ shared mindset and volunteer spirit that build a strong, cohesive group. “No one needs much encouragement; everyone understands they are doing something meaningful,” she said.
Beyond platelet donation, the club also participates in humanitarian efforts such as visiting cancer patients, giving gifts to poor patients at hospital, and raising community awareness about platelet donation.
Quiet acts of sharing
Among the members, Le Quang Duong, a teacher from Thuy Phu 1 Primary School, stands out with 67 donations of blood and platelets. What started as curiosity became a long-term commitment once he realized it didn’t harm his health. His two sons - both with rare AB blood type - also actively join when emergency cases arise.
"Once, I was in a parent-teacher meeting when I got an urgent call, so I asked to leave early to make it in time to donate. Afterward, some parents who heard about it also signed up to join the club," Mr. Duong recalled, his eyes glowing with pride.
Ms. Le Thi Hien, President of Hue City Red Cross, said: “This is a truly commendable model. They don’t campaign loudly or seek attention, but they accomplish the most practical and meaningful work. In critical cases, club members are an essential support for the healthcare sector.”
According to Ms. Hien, the platelet donation model in Huong Thuy is particularly valuable today, as public awareness of platelet donation remains limited. From their spirit to organization and outcomes, this is one of Hue’s few clubs to maintain consistent operations over many years. “We’re looking to expand this model,” she added, “because one more club like this means more chances of survival for patients.”
There are good deeds that, though quiet, still shine brightly and leave a lasting fragrance. These platelet donors may silently walk out of the hospital, but the units they give help preserve life. In doing so, they become silent heroes of the ancient capital.