A legacy of kindness kives on

Donating tissues and organs is a noble and humane act, offering a second chance at life to patients in desperate need of transplants. In recent years, in an effort to promote this noble cause, branches of the Red Cross Society across the province have intensified awareness campaigns encouraging organ and tissue donation among officials, volunteers, and the general public.

On June 7, following a traffic accident, Mr. N.T.A, 28 years old from Hoang Dong commune, Lang Son city, tragically passed away. In the face of their profound grief, his family made the remarkable and compassionate decision to donate his organs to help patients awaiting transplants prolong their lives.

According to Dr. Nguyen Huu Hoang, Director of the Eye Bank at the Central Eye Hospital, “Upon receiving the notification, our team immediately arrived on site to perform the organ retrieval. Thanks to the family’s noble act, two patients regained their sight within just a few days.”

According to the provincial Red Cross Society, this marked the first posthumous organ donation by a family in Lang Son province. The donation of corneas in particular—and of organs and tissues in general—brings the gift of life and sight to others, and helps spread love, compassion, and hope throughout the community.

Despite the noble nature of organ and tissue donation, encouraging public participation remains a challenge due to longstanding customs and cultural beliefs. Since 2019, the Provincial Red Cross Society has issued directives guiding its local branches to conduct outreach and raise public awareness on the importance and meaning of organ and tissue donation.In addition, the Society has coordinated with the National Coordinating Center for Human Organ Transplantation, medical facilities, law enforcement agencies, and schools to organize forums, training sessions, and integrate donation advocacy into voluntary blood donation campaigns and other public health events. They have also screened short documentaries to encourage and call on citizens to register as organ and tissue donors. From 2020 to date, more than 20 advocacy events have been held, reaching over 5,000 people.

Mrs. Nong Bich Thuan, Chairwoman of the provincial Red Cross Society, shared: “In addition to directing our branches to step up outreach, we’ve also invited lecturers from the National Coordinating Center to provide experience and guidance. The Society has also proactively partnered with agencies and organizations to reach Party members and public servants.”

Mr. Hoang Xuan Truong, Deputy Director of the Department of Health, added: “In recent years, the Department has launched various activities to raise awareness among both healthcare professionals and the wider public. We have also incorporated awareness efforts into patient education programs and encouraged doctors and nurses—those directly caring for patients—to lead by example and register as donors after death, thereby spreading the message of humanity within the medical community.”

Thanks to the active engagement of the Provincial Red Cross and the support of related agencies, the number of registered tissue and organ donors in the province has surpassed 600—an increase of over 400 compared to 2022.

Hoang Nam Long, a student at the provincial Medical College, said: “I joined the school’s voluntary blood donation club, and through it, I learned from the Red Cross about the significance of organ and tissue donation. I realized the profound impact it can have, so in 2023, I registered as a donor, hoping to help others extend their lives.”

With the collaborative efforts of various sectors and the enthusiastic support of the people, organ and tissue donation in Lang Son Province is expected to continue developing sustainably. It is gradually becoming a broad-based humanitarian movement that brings the gift of life to those still fighting for it.

In the coming time, local branches of the Red Cross will strengthen coordination with relevant departments and organizations to expand outreach efforts through diverse and engaging formats. They will work to highlight exemplary donors, and place greater emphasis on honoring, recognizing, and expressing gratitude to individuals and families who have made the selfless choice to donate—fostering a spirit of empathy and generosity throughout the community.