TIANJIN — Nepalese student Shekhar Dongol has donated blood 18 times, including twice in China last year.

Dongol, a postgraduate student at Tianjin University, most recently donated blood at a mobile blood collection site in Tianjin on Dec 28.

The arrival of winter has led to an increase in demand for blood transfusions from people in Tianjin with cardiovascular or cerebrovascular diseases.

"I hope to help those in need in China in this way," Dongol said.

Soon after he enrolled at Tianjin University in March, Dongol contacted the school and asked for information on donating blood. Within a month, he had made his first donation, said Zhao Zhipeng, a teacher with Tianjin University's School of International Education.

"Dongol told us that regular blood donation is not only beneficial for society, but also helps the donor develop scientific and reasonable dietary and lifestyle habits," Zhao said. "It is a healthy practice worth maintaining."

Dongol started donating blood at the age of 19 through events organized by the Red Cross Society of Nepal, and has continued the habit ever since.

"In Nepal, we have a saying that donating blood saves lives," he said.

Dongol is pursuing a doctoral degree in architecture at Tianjin University. Focusing on cultural heritage protection, Dongol hopes to apply his knowledge to research on the ancient Silk Road trade corridor in Nepal.

"Love knows no borders," he said. "I will continue donating blood in the future while I'm staying in China."

He said he hopes that his life and studies in Tianjin will contribute to building a bridge of friendship between China and Nepal.

Xinhua