Shanghai witnessed a remarkable display of international solidarity as 90 expatriate volunteers from diverse nations converged at the Shanghai Blood Center for a special blood donation event on Sunday. The initiative, jointly organized by the Shanghai People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and the Shanghai Blood Center in collaboration with Bloodline—a volunteer organization comprising foreign blood donors—transformed the medical facility into a vibrant multicultural celebration.
The event featured an array of cultural performances including traditional dances and musical presentations, creating a festive atmosphere that underscored the universal importance of blood donation. This gathering not only promoted the critical need for life-saving donations but also exemplified Shanghai’s characteristic openness, inclusiveness, and humanitarian spirit.
Among the participants was Ashish Maskay, a Nepalese surgeon and founder of Bloodline, who marked a significant personal milestone with his 60th blood donation in Shanghai. Having worked in the city for over twenty years, Maskay expressed profound honor in contributing to the community’s health infrastructure. His organization, established in 2017, has motivated thousands of expatriates to participate in similar life-saving initiatives.
The diplomatic community also showed strong support, with Sri Lanka’s Consul General in Shanghai Pamoda Gooneratne and her team actively participating. They provided nutritional support including traditional Sri Lankan tea and biscuits for donors, while some staff members joined the donation drive. Gooneratne emphasized that blood donation is considered a noble act in Sri Lankan culture and expressed delight at seeing similar values embraced in Shanghai.
German national Dennis Olschewski, a repeat donor and seven-year Shanghai resident, articulated the universal ethos behind blood donation: ‘I consider it the right thing to do and a perfect way to give back to the community. There are always people in need of blood, and perhaps someone around me or I myself might be the one who needs it someday.’ This sentiment echoed throughout the event, highlighting how humanitarian causes transcend national and cultural boundaries.