As the new year begins, we set sail with love. On January 2–3, Nanjing Zijin Hospital organized blood‑donation drives at both of its campuses, with 141 members of the hospital community donating a total of 46,400 milliliters of blood, marking the official start of the 2024 voluntary blood‑donation campaign. The hospital also became the first medical institution in Nanjing to launch a large‑scale, collective blood‑donation drive that year, drawing coverage from Jiangsu TV, Nanjing TV, and Zijinshan News, among others.

Rehabilitation therapist Zhang Yi was the first person to donate blood that day. He has worked at the hospital for more than four years and participates in his workplace’s voluntary blood‑donation program every year. “I first donated blood when I was in college, and to date I’ve given a total of 3,000 milliliters. I believe it helps my own metabolism while also helping others.”

Dou Xixi, deputy head nurse of the Nursing Department, also participates in the hospital’s blood‑donation drive every year. “Donating blood on the first workday of the New Year—2024 is off to a vibrant start!”

At the blood donation site, in addition to hospital staff, patients’ family members also took part. One family member said that his son had previously been involved in an accident and urgently needed a transfusion; kind strangers had stepped forward to donate blood, leaving him deeply grateful. Seeing the hospital organize another blood drive, he signed up early as well.

“Our hospital primarily treats critically ill patients and those recovering from severe conditions, so we deeply understand the vital importance of blood to our patients. Compassion requires selfless dedication, especially during the winter months when blood supplies are relatively scarce. As medical professionals, we must take the lead to ensure the safety and well-being of our patients,” said Ge Jiangping, President of Nanjing Zijin Hospital. He added that organizing group blood‑donation drives at the start of each new year has been a longstanding tradition at the hospital for more than a decade, and the institution has repeatedly been recognized as an outstanding collective in voluntary blood donation.

Over two consecutive days of blood donation, nearly 200 “Ziyi people” eagerly signed up—roughly half the hospital’s total workforce—and ultimately 141 donors contributed a total of 46,400 milliliters of blood, offering a heartfelt gift of life to usher in the New Year.