Life depends on blood.
When there were less than two weeks until Tet, a family was shocked to receive bad news: their son had blood cancer.
Mom, what's wrong with me?" - the innocent question of the 13-year-old boy seemed to cut the mother's heart. She could only hide her tears and gently replied: "I'm just anemia!".
She understands that her smart and understanding child will soon know that she is facing a dangerous disease. If possible, she wishes to endure the pain for her child. But all she can do at this time is be by her side, take care of her and hope.
With severe anemia, deeply reduced platelets, and high risk of bleeding, just over a week after being hospitalized, the boy had to receive more than 10 units of red blood cells and group O platelets.
Unable to hesitate, on the 26th day of Tet, I entered the first chemotherapy session - which also meant I had to be hospitalized throughout the Tet days. The battle ahead still needs many more units of blood to maintain life.
On the 24th day of Tet, a mother with two children suffering from thalassemia choked up and shared: "Like last year, on this day, the streets are bustling with Tet shopping, the three mothers and children carry each other from 4 am, and only come home at 11 pm. Luckily, there is still blood to transfuse.
Everyone needs peach blossoms, kumquats, candies, new clothes... And my children only need blood to be transfused, so they can go home for Tet.
Her wish is simple but restless: "If you are healthy enough, please donate blood for your children, for young patients!".
Hearts living for others
Hope everyone donates blood" - that is not just a message from one family alone, but a common wish of thousands of patients in need of blood.
Responding to the call from the National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, many people have arranged time to donate blood, even though the end of the year is the most busy time.
According to medical facilities, the long Tet holiday makes the demand for blood reserves increase, while the number of blood donors usually decreases.
The units of blood donated today can become a lifeline for patients during surgery, during chemotherapy, or simply help a young child be healthy enough to go home for Tet.
The National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion said that it is currently receiving blood from all blood types, especially group O and group A. People with sufficient health conditions can come to donate blood directly, without pre-registration from now until after the Lunar New Year.
In the busy Tet days, when everyone has their own worries, there are still many hearts choosing to share to keep life for others.
Because sometimes, the most wonderful thing does not come from great actions, but starts from a very simple gesture: donating one unit of blood.
