The blood donation campaign “2015 Red Journey” will travel to 25 provinces and cities across the country from June 25 to August 1, aiming to collect about 17,000 units of blood.

During his recent working session with the People’s Committee of the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho, Director of the National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion Nguyen Anh Tri said the programme is expected to help solve the scarcity of blood during summer months.
The annual journey hopes to gather about 800 units of blood in Can Tho on July 6-7.

According to the municipal Steering Committee on blood donation, all districts and communes in the city established subcommittees, aimed at encouraging the activity among local residents.

Can Tho has received over 13,000 units of blood from volunteers so far this year, equivalent to nearly 62 percent of the goal set for the year. Last year, its blood donation surpassed the year’s target by 41 percent, contributed by 2.01 percent of local population.

The municipal authorities made all necessary preparations for the journey, said the Steering Committee.

According to the World Health Organisation, Viet Nam needs nearly 2 million units of blood each year.

Last year, the Red Journey attracted 120 volunteers in a trip through 25 localities to call on locals to donate blood, collecting nearly 48,000 units of blood.

(Source: VNA)