Hello my dear friends? How are you doing? I hope you start the week with a lot of happiness and energy!
Have you ever given blood? I hadn’t, until just last Sunday. I always wanted to do it, but something always got in the way, either bad timing or a packed schedule, and honestly I was afraid. But then, the schedule was good for me as on Sunday and also something in me urged me, I had more courage, I decided this is the day.
The blood donation was organized by the Sun group to get blood for the Department of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, Da Nang Hospital. Sun Group is one of Vietnam’s leading private multi-sector corporations in Luxury resorts ( InterContinental Danang, JW Marriott Phu Quoc,...), Theme parks (Sun World Ba Na Hills - I am sure you’ve heard of it, Fansipan Legend, Hon Thom…), High-end real estate, Infrastructure (airports, cable cars, cruise ports).
That’s why they have a very nice place to host a blood donation event. It was located in Da Nang Downtown, Asia Park.
When I registered it was around 400 people, that was a lot. But when I came there, it seemed like even more people than that. I arrived at 9am and people were already there a lot 😀So the first step was to register by scanning the QR code to confirm my information and get my printout.
After getting the paper, I had my blood pressure checked.
Next, they took a quick sample to test my blood type and see if I qualified to donate.
Then, I sat at the chair to wait for the result.
I waited for the result with many other people, all of us excited, nervous, hopeful. After almost an hour, they finally called my name.
I came to receive my donation kit with the bag and necessary items, and got in line again for the final step: actually giving blood.
I watched people ahead of me. People were sitting down, some seemed tired, some smiled. I am a bit nervous but overall also felt happy.
It’s my turn now..
The nurse said my vein is a bit small, so it may be difficult to take the blood out and asked me to consider not doing it. But I said, just do it, I wanted to do it and just help me with this. It was a bit of a struggle at first but was fine after that, a bit slower compared with others but finally I made it, I did give my blood!
The other team collected and arranged the blood. And I was sent to the last destination: recovery and reward zone after giving blood.
They prepared some snacks for people to get better after giving the blood and some gifts to bring home. It was a bit late. I just took the bag they gave me and went home.
Let see what I have here
A certificate, a towel and pack of glass,
some milk and snacks
And some cash (around 5 $).
That was a really meaningful day for me. I went home a bit tired but deeply happy. It may sound simple, but this was a very meaningful day for me. I overcame a personal fear. I gave something that could help someone else. I walked away feeling a little lighter, a little prouder. And my blood cells will be recreated strongly again.
Thanks for reading, I hope you like my post and somehow inspire you to try blood donation someday. And sending love to all the silent heroes out there, no matter where you are or how big or small your acts are, you’re truly appreciated.
All the photos were taken by me.