Thinking about "Red Journey" - the journey of hearts

Many people donated blood at the Second "Red Journey" Program.

This was not only an event for voluntary blood donation, but also a great gathering of kind hearts. It has been nearly 3 weeks, but I still remember that morning clearly. Not because of the big stage, nor the bright red banners or the loud loudspeakers, but because there were so many people in bright red shirts - the color of heart, of dedication and life. They were ordinary people who quietly contributed to a "journey" not measured in kilometers, but in kind hearts.

Very early, many people began to flock to the area where the “Red Journey” Program was held. They came by motorbike, bus, and even people from many neighboring localities to participate. Without being told, they were all dressed simply and neatly, holding invitations or blood donation registration forms. Some people went alone, or families with three generations went. The color red was present on shirts, hats, banners, and posters with the words “Red Journey - Connecting Vietnamese Blood”.

I stopped for quite a while at the reception area. There, a young girl was listening attentively to the doctor instructing the blood donation process. Her eyes lit up, unable to hide her excitement. This might be her first time donating blood - a small event in her life, but it had a greater meaning than anything she had prepared. Next to her was an old lady, thin but agile. She did not come to donate blood, because her old age did not allow it, but she went to encourage her grandchild to donate blood. She said something very softly to her grandchild, but I still heard one sentence: "My child, donating blood is a big deal!"

When the loudspeaker announced the start of the ceremony to honor groups and individuals with outstanding blood donation deeds, everyone quieted down. On stage, the names of groups and individuals were called out one by one. There was no long applause, nor any loud congratulations, only slow steps, emotional eyes, and Certificates of Merit received with both hands, cherished like a souvenir.

I remember most the image of a rather old man. He was the first person in the family to donate blood, then "passed the torch" to the family members. When he and the other families stepped onto the stage, I felt something very sacred: Kindness does not stop at an action, but is nurtured, continued, and becomes a family value. They did not speak or show anything special, but under the stage lights, the representatives of those families were like a symbol - peaceful and quiet.

Immediately after that, a group of people from many different professions came from different localities in Tien Giang province (now Dong Thap province). Some had donated blood 20 to 30 times, some only a few times, but all were the same, not showing off. They came with the kindness to give for the lives of others, and returned quietly without asking for anything in return…

Participating in the “Red Journey” program has made me understand one more thing: donating blood is also a matter of faith. Believing that you can help someone live another day, a month or a lifetime. Believing that today’s small action will be a lifesaver for someone you have never met. Believing that blood flows not only in a person’s body, but also in the community - connecting people together with the most invisible but precious thing…

The second “Red Journey” program of Dong Thap province is not just an event. It is a day when everyone feels that they can do something better. The numbers - more than 200 individuals, families and groups honored, nearly 5,000 units of blood received in just the first 6 months of the year - sound big, but when looking into the eyes of each person, I understand that behind each number is a story.

Not everyone who comes to the program is called by name. There are people who just come to donate blood and then leave, there are doctors and nurses who silently prepare, measure blood pressure, take samples, record information, there are union members and youths in charge of distributing water, maintaining order, leading people to the blood receiving area...

They are not prominent, but they are the ones who keep the humanitarian flow going. Or from another angle, I see a charitable organization giving gifts to support families in need. No noise, no slogans, not much value, but full of love.

At the program, when the honoring ceremony ended, I lingered a little longer. The rows of chairs had been cleared, only a few people took the opportunity to take a commemorative selfie. I passed by the blood receiving area - blood bags were carefully packaged, lined up, ready to be taken to the hospital. The blood bags were left there, silent, but everyone felt that it was a good, humane thing of kindness given to life...

Returning from the “Red Journey” program, I did not bring much, just a few photos, a few notes, but I had a lot of thoughts. Perhaps, the thing that remained most clearly in me was the belief: No matter how life changes, kindness still has its value. Every drop of blood donated not only saves people, but also reminds us that we are alive - and living meaningfully.

QUANG MINH

Source: https://baoapbac.vn/xa-hoi/202507/nghi-ve-hanh-trinh-do-hanh-trinh-cua-nhung-trai-tim-1046680/