Wearing an Iron Man T-shirt, Heráclito Everson Biscaia Filho from Brazil made his 34th blood donation in Shenzhen at Nanshan Blood Donation Station in Nanshan District on Dec. 28.

Video and photos by Li Chengxing.

“It was very relaxing, no problem at all,” the 42-year-old, who prefers to be called Hera, said while he was making the donation for platelets with the help of an automatic machine.

Heráclito Everson Biscaia Filho, or Hera, donates platelets at Nanshan Blood Donation Station on Dec. 28.

The Brazilian made his first donation back in his home country when he was 18, as a favor to his close aunt. Since then, Hera has donated blood frequently in Brazil.

Hera donates platelets while a staffer with Nanshan Blood Donation Station works on a machine.

“I felt nice [for the first donation], because I learned how to do something that I had never expected to do in my life and I have carried it on since 1997,” Hera recalled.

Hera stopped donating his blood for a few years after he came to China in 2007. It was not until 2013 when he visited Nanshan Blood Donation Station where he found out he can donate blood in China and in Shenzhen.

“At the beginning, I was afraid because I can’t speak Chinese. Since they [the staff] made my file and blood donor card, everything has gone smoothly,” Hera said.

“Even though the staff don’t speak English sometimes, they have an all-English handbook. It’s very organized. This place is super foreigner-friendly,” he added.

Hera is always warmhearted to help people in need. Sometimes, he would take phone calls or receive text messages urgently asking for his blood donation and he tries his best to help others.

Hera has some snacks after donating blood Dec. 28.

“Another time, there was a car accident and they [the patients] urgently needed AB negative blood, so they [the staff] contacted me through WeChat. In 30 minutes, I came over here and I will do so every time if they need,” Hera said.

When talking about possible side effects of blood donation, Hera said: “The only thing right after I finish the blood donation – I drink a lot of water and have a good light meal. No exercise on the same day. I never had any side effects.”

Hera tried to promote blood donation by posting his donation updates on social media such as WeChat and Facebook, aiming to reach more people and encourage them to do good deeds.

“I think everybody should come over here to start donating blood because it will transform your own life. No smoking, no drinking alcohol, keeping fit and sleeping well – these kinds of requirements can really make a big difference in people’s lives.

“It [blood donation] really changed my life in many ways. It made me become more attentive to my health. I keep monitoring my health to be able to donate blood and platelets. It’s a very big turning point,” Hera said.

Shenzhen started voluntary blood donation in 1993. As of Nov. 14, a total of 4.86 million donations had been made. A total of 972 tons of blood had been donated and 1.62 million blood transfusions had been made, according to Shenzhen Evening News.