VietNamNet Bridge – Nearly 3,500 units of blood were collected from thousands of youth and volunteers at the last blood-donation drive of the annual blood-donation campaign Hanh trinh do (the Red Journey) 2016.

Two thousand volunteers formed the Viet Nam national flag at the National Convention Centre in Ha Noi on Sunday. — Photo nihbt.org.vn

The donation drive was organised by National Institute of Haematology and Blood Transfusion in Ha Noi on Sunday, July 31.

The collected blood units have brought the total amount to more than 24,000 units, collected from more than 27 blood-donation events in the past month, across 27 provinces and cities nationwide.

Speaking at the event, Politburo member and Chairwoman of the Party Central Committee’s Mass Mobilisation Commission Truong Thi Mai said the campaign had brought hope and life to millions of patients nationwide.

Mai also praised the journey’s results and the efforts made by the million donors and volunteers towards the country’s voluntary blood-donation mobilisation movement over the past few years.

She added that the campaign had become an important event, contributing to social security and giving the youth and students a chance to do some good for people during the summer.

A couple donate blood at the last blood donation festival of Hanh trinh do (Red Journey) 2016, held in Ha Noi on Sunday. — VNS Photo Thanh Hai

The National Institute of Haematology and Blood Transfusion director, Nguyen Anh Tri, said the campaign had successfully fulfilled its mission by promoting blood donations, handling the blood-shortage situation and improving the community’s awareness of thalassaemia – a genetic blood disorder that can lead to heart failure and liver problems.

“The Red Journey campaign has become a unique and effective model for voluntary blood-donation mobilisation and communication movement in Viet Nam,” Tri said.

“The campaign has seen great contributions towards creating a humane and responsible community, an important milestone in the development of the country’s voluntary blood-donation movement,” Tri said.

During the 31-day campaign, 130 outstanding volunteers traveled through 27 provinces and cities nationwide to collect blood and strengthen the message on the importance of donating blood.

They also called upon the public to donate blood in a bid to ease current blood shortages at hospitals and raised community awareness of thalassaemia.

In 2015, the health sector collected 1.15 million units of blood, 90 per cent of which came from voluntary donors, while 10 per cent was collected from people who sold their blood for money.

VNS