Ethnic minority woman does something rare: Encourages many people to donate blood

Growing up in the mountains of Muong Te, Lai Chau province, at the age of 38, Ly Nhu Pa (Ha Nhi ethnic group) has donated blood 34 times and mobilized more than 500 other people to participate in this noble act.

Ms. Ly Nhu Pa (right) is one of 100 outstanding blood donors in 2025 honored in the program - Photo: ML

"I am proud that every drop of blood I donate not only saves lives, but also spreads awareness to ethnic minorities, where people do not yet understand this volunteer work," Ms. Pa confided.

Journey from teacher to blood donation promoter

Sharing about her first blood donation, Ms. Pa said that she was a student at the teacher training college at that time. At that time, this volunteer work was just an activity within the Youth Union and Association movement.

But then she understood that her blood was helping others, even saving lives, and since then blood donation has become her regular activity.

Ms. Pa shared that after graduating, she returned to her hometown to do the right job of "sowing knowledge" for students in the highlands. She has been involved in the education industry for more than 12 years, a profession she cherishes.

But then, she decided to transfer her job to become a specialist at the Red Cross Society of Muong Te district, to do the volunteer work that she loves.

Ms. Pa said the salary for the association is "modest" compared to the education sector, but because of her love for volunteer work, she decided to "change jobs".

Every time I go to campaign for blood donation, do propaganda, meet people who have received blood transfusions and come back to life, I feel extremely happy.

Sister Ly Nhu Pa

Blood donation campaign for people in mountainous areas

Talking about blood donation campaign in the locality, Ms. Pa said that the concept of blood donation is still too strange for ethnic minorities, even misunderstood. She became one of the campaigners, although she was rejected many times, looked at with skeptical eyes, but she did not give up.

"Some people even told me that as a woman, donating blood is exhausting and will make me weak when I give birth. The elders in the village say that blood is sacred and that only ancestors have the right to take it.

But then I explained, I demonstrated, I donated blood myself first, and gradually people understood," said Ms. Pa.

Now, she not only donates blood regularly 2-3 times a year, but also encourages her whole family to participate. Her husband, children, and parents-in-law have all donated blood.

Even though her husband was worried that his wife would "be weak if she donated too much", after accompanying her to the hospital several times, he understood and accompanied her.

In 2025, Ms. Pa was one of 100 outstanding delegates selected to attend the National Blood Donor Honor Ceremony in 2025. When asked about her feelings, she choked up: "I never thought I would have the day to go to the capital and be honored.

For me, every time I donate blood, it comes from my heart and my will. Being recognized is a great joy, but the greater joy is to inspire many others."

From June 3 to 5, the Ministry of Health, the National Steering Committee for Voluntary Blood Donation, the Vietnam Red Cross Society and other organizations organized a program to honor 100 outstanding blood donors nationwide.

This is the 17th year the program has been held on the occasion of International Blood Donor Day, June 14.

100 outstanding blood donors honored in 2025 - Photo: ML

Statistics show that a total of 100 delegates donated more than 4,800 units of blood and platelets, with each person donating an average of 48 times. Among the 100 delegates, there are those who have donated platelets and blood more than 100 times.

Along with the honoring ceremony, blood donors also participated in the journey "Back to the Ancestral Land" to offer incense to the Hung Kings, the ceremony to report to Uncle Ho at Ba Dinh Square and commemorate heroic martyrs, a journey connecting traditional values ​​and modern compassion.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/nguoi-phu-nu-dan-toc-thieu-so-lam-duoc-dieu-hiem-co-van-dong-nhieu-nguoi-di-hien-mau-20250603174057524.htm