Blood donation drive in Wuhan is proof that 'love knows no borders'

A voluntary blood donation drive organized by foreign students at Central China Normal University earlier this month has received widespread praise from other students and teachers at the university as well as the general public in Wuhan, Hubei province.

A total of 150 people successfully donated 41,200 milliliters of blood during the event. It not only attracted international students at Central China Normal University, but also foreign students from 14 other universities in the city.

It was the 10th voluntary blood donation drive that international students have organized on the campus since 2013.

In previous years, the foreign students also spread their love to local communities where they organized activities such as volunteer teaching at local schools, visiting lonely senior residents, and accompanying and encouraging children with leukemia, said Chen Nan, a teacher from the university.

"The foreign students at the university have demonstrated the spirit that 'love knows no borders' through their selfless actions, and they have played an exemplary role among local teachers and students," he said.

Lei Feng, a People's Liberation Army soldier known for his good deeds, is a household name and cultural icon in China symbolizing selflessness, modesty and dedication.

Deih Sedem Akorkor from Ghana said donating blood can help save lives, and more people should be encouraged to donate.

Akorkor, an organizer of the event, joined the "Yang Lei Feng "volunteer service team in 2012, and has donated blood nine times.

With some of her team members, she visited a local blood center and learned more about blood donations to gain a deeper understanding before she decided to organize the campus blood drive last month.

"Although we come from different races and speak different languages, our blood is all red, and our enthusiasm for volunteering and public welfare is the same," she said.

Nan Wint Phoo Thwe from Myanmar said, "This is a big family with love, where everyone comes together through dedication and gains a better understanding of China, especially the spirit of Lei Feng."

She said she wanted to promote the spirit of Lei Feng in her own way. It was the eighth time she had donated blood in China.

"I really like China, and the country has become my second hometown," said Ozrokova Irina, a Russian who donated blood for the first time. She expressed her love for China in fluent Chinese to local media.

Irina said she has also received a lot of help from people in China, and therefore donating her blood is also a love reward.

"I will encourage more people to donate blood when I have the opportunity, as helping others is a very happy thing," she added.