Red Journey campaign features a record number of participating localities

The event is jointly held by the National Institute of Haematology and Blood Transfusion (NIHBT), the National Steering committee for Voluntary Blood Donation Campaign, and the VTV Corp Joint Stock Company, with the theme “Connecting the Vietnamese blood”.

Among the participants, there are five localities which have been engaged in all eight incidences of the event, including Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Thanh Hoa, Nghe An and Lam Dong. Meanwhile, Ben Tre, Hau Giang, Soc Trang and Tay Ninh are the four debutants.

Dr. Bach Quoc Khanh, director of the NIHBT and head of the Red Journey organising committee, emphasised that the organisation of the event over a longer period aims to suit the prevailing situation in each locality, thus effectively meeting hospitals’ demand for the receipt and use of blood.

The Red Journey campaign in particular and blood donation campaigns as a whole should pay increasing attention to both quality and efficiency, he stated.

Held for the first time in 2013, the Red Journey has so far gathered the participation of 50 provinces and cities, mobilising more than 250,000 blood units. The programme has contributed to strengthening communication, raising public awareness of voluntary blood donation, expanding blood donation subjects, and promoting the blood donation movement in a more effective and sustainable manner.

On June 7, the first blood donation festivals of the Red Journey will take place in the northeastern province of Cao Bang and Giong Rieng district in the Mekong Delta province of Kien Giang.