She arrived for her first blood donation and left engaged
Anita chose to mark her 23rd birthday by doing something meaningful: she went to the blood service center at Okhmatdyt and became a first-time donor. Her aim was to support the hospital's young patients, and the facility — one of Ukraine's key pediatric medical centers — relies on volunteer donors. But the day became far more personal when her boyfriend of five years, Rostyslav, dropped to one knee in the donation hall and asked her to marry him.
A university romance reaches a new milestone
Anita and Rostyslav met while studying at university. Their love story began at a mutual friend's birthday celebration, after Rostyslav lost a wish to Anita in a game — that wish became their first date. This time, their milestone moment was shared with the hospital community as part of a larger social cause.
After Anita completed her donation, Rostyslav appeared in the doorway holding flowers and proposed. She said yes on the spot. The Okhmatdyt team later thanked the couple, saying:
"Thank you for choosing to spend this important day with the Okhmatdyt team and for starting it by helping our young patients."
The engagement was more than a private celebration; it also continued the blood center's tradition of acknowledging important events in donors' lives. Staff congratulated the pair and noted how charitable actions and personal joy can come together in one moment.
The story shows how personal milestones and community needs can overlap. A proposal in a donation center adds a romantic touch, but it also highlights the persistent demand for blood donors across Ukraine. Bringing more young people into such initiatives could boost participation in charity drives and, in turn, support countless patients in need of help.