Founded in 2017 at Buu Thang Pagoda in Pleiku City, the club was established through the cooperation of the Gia Lai provincial Buddhist lay guidance board, the sub-committee for Buddhist families, and local healthcare units. Together, they have organized 17 humanitarian blood donation drives, saving countless lives through their efforts.
Mr. Bui Tien, a member of the Executive Board of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in Gia Lai and head of the club, said the initiative has grown steadily each year. “Everyone joins hands to promote blood donation, giving more patients a chance at life,” he noted.
Currently, the Giot Hong Lam Club has 173 members who organize one to two blood drives annually, each collecting around 100 units of blood to support healthcare facilities in patient treatment and emergency care.
For many members, donating blood is not merely an act of charity but a spiritual calling. Nguyen Phuoc Minh, from Bau Can commune, shared: “As a Buddhist, I joined immediately when the club was formed. My wife and I both donate blood and encourage friends and family to participate in this meaningful cause.”
The club’s members also engage in broader community activities, cleaning local pine hills and giving gifts to ethnic minority children and families, continuing their mission of “living is giving.”
According to Nguyen Van Hung, a member of the club’s executive board, the initiative has grown beyond its Buddhist roots. “Over time, participants have become more diverse, spreading across Gia Lai Province. Members not only donate blood during official drives but also step forward during emergencies,” he said.
The Giot Hong Lam humanitarian blood donation club’s enduring mission reflects the Buddhist philosophy of compassion in action, “giving without expecting anything in return.” As Nguyen Van Hung emphasized, “Each time the number of donors increases, we feel joy knowing that kindness is spreading and life is becoming better for everyone.”
