On a late evening at the end of 2025, the Điện Biên provincial General Hospital admitted Mai Thị Thanh Giang (from Hưng Yên) in critical condition due to severe postpartum hemorrhage following a cesarean section. The hospital’s blood reserves were insufficient for the emergency. That very night, October 31, 2025, an urgent call for blood donations was issued. Within a short time, dozens of volunteers arrived. Some were public officials, others freelance workers; some came straight after finishing their shifts. All shared a single purpose - to help save a life. Thanks to the timely support of 39 volunteers, doctors were able to stabilize the patient and pull her through the crisis.

Not long before that, a relative of Trần Thúy Liễu (Điện Biên Phủ ward) suffered severe mucosal bleeding and required an urgent transfusion. In the face of urgency, the family turned to social media and volunteer groups for help. Within hours, numerous officials, youth members, and local residents came forward to donate blood, helping the patient overcome the critical phase.

Nguyễn Thị Ngọc Anh, an officer working at the provincial police and one of the donors who supported Liễu’s family, shared: “When I heard a patient urgently needed blood, my colleagues and I went to the hospital immediately, hoping to contribute in some small way. I believe my blood could help someone cross the fragile line between life and death. That makes it truly meaningful, so as long as I’m healthy, I’m always ready to respond.”

At the Điện Biên provincial General Hospital, thanks to the commitment of staff and youth members, voluntary blood donation has become a regular and widespread activity. Notably, the number of “living blood bank” participants continues to grow, with more than 150 doctors, nurses, and hospital staff enrolled. Each volunteer is registered with their blood type, contact number, and address. When blood is needed, the hospital can quickly reach compatible donors, ensuring timely support.

According to Dr. Trần Thị Lịch, Head of the hospital’s Laboratory Department, cases requiring “living blood banks” are often critically urgent. Each patient may need at least four to five units of blood, with some requiring dozens. Meanwhile, hospital reserves are not always sufficient, particularly for rare blood types. In such situations, mobilizing pre-registered donors with matching blood types allows immediate transfusion without delays for screening, helping address shortages and significantly improving survival chances.

Trần Thị Trang Mỹ Linh, a staff member at the Laboratory Department, vividly recalls a severe traffic accident case requiring emergency surgery. During treatment, the patient suffered acute blood loss, while the hospital’s supply, especially type O, had run out. Facing the emergency, Linh and her colleagues did not hesitate to donate blood to support the operation and save the patient’s life.

“The patient was admitted in the evening, when many doctors had already finished their shifts. As soon as the emergency call came, dozens of medical staff returned to the hospital. During the treatment, the patient needed dozens of units of blood. Within a short time, more than 30 doctors and staff volunteered to donate,” Linh recounted.

Amid the rush of daily life, these “living blood banks” continue their quiet acts of kindness. Every urgent call answered, every donation made, helps extend life and bring hope to patients and their families. Through such meaningful actions, compassion continues to spread. Each drop of blood given not only saves lives in critical moments but also warms hearts and strengthens faith in humanity.