Cristiano Ronaldo – The man with a golden heart

#2 Cristiano Ronaldo is a regular blood donor and launched #BETHE1DONOR campaign

It is not just the money, which Cristiano Ronaldo is generating for charity. He has taken blood and bone marrow donation to another level. Ronaldo donates his blood at least twice a year and has teamed up with “Abbott”, who is the global leader in research of infectious diseases and diagnostics.

A movement titled as #BETHE1DONOR has been launched by Ronaldo, along with Abbott, to inspire millions of young people to come up and donate blood.

Ronaldo teamed up with ABBOTT and launched #BETHE1DONOR campaign for inspiring youths to donate blood

‘We can all make a difference by donating blood. Each donation can benefit up to three people in emergency situations and for long-term medical treatments,’ Ronaldo said.

He first gave blood to his Portugal team-mate Carlos Martins' son who was sick and was in need of blood in 2011.

Reflecting on that time two years later, the forward told Spanish radio station Cadena Cope: 'It was the time when Carlos [Martins] was with us on the national team.

‘He told us about the problem with his son and we, the players, showed great unity to help him and his son because we knew it was a very complicated situation.’

‘[Donating bone marrow] is something a lot of people think is a difficult thing to do but it's nothing more than drawing blood and doesn't hurt.’

‘I did it many years ago and if I had to do it again I would because this is a very serious disease for many children and we need to help them.’

Since then, Ronaldo regularly donates blood and avoids any activity which might prevent him from donating blood temporarily such as having tattoos.

‘I don't have tattoos because I donate blood very often’ he told the Diretta News in 2012.

People with tattoos can donate blood but are not able to do so immediately after getting new ink to reduce the risk of infection.