The first time Xu Binghui donated (捐献) his blood was on his 18th birthday. He had waited for a long time to make his first blood donation, because people under 18 years old are not allowed to donate blood.
"My mother was badly ill when I was 8 years old. She lost her life because of the bad medical conditions," Xu said. He made up his mind to become a blood donor from then on, as he knew his donation might save someone else's life.
The 26-year-old has donated blood over 40 times since 2010. "I donate my blood every two weeks. Blood donation is good for my health," he said. Chen Dongsen, from Taiwan, is also a blood donor. He donated about 300 bags of blood while living in Taiwan. He has made 84 blood donations in Shenzhen since he moved here in 2013.
Chen is into running. He founded a running club in Shenzhen in 2015. Ever since then, he has been encouraging the club's members to donate blood. "Many people were worried in the beginning because they thought donating blood might influence their health," he said. "But I made them believe that blood donation was not only harmless but good for their health by serving as an example," Chen said.
Now in his 50s, Chen runs over 100 kilometers a week and donates blood every two weeks. Up till now, one—third of his running club's members have become blood donors by following his lead.
