Last
weekend, volunteers of a blood donation campaign called “Red journey” with the
message of “Connecting Vietnamese bloodline” came to southern Binh Duong
province. With the goal of blood donation mobilization, this year’s “Red journey”
campaign has contributed to promoting a voluntary blood donation campaign in
Binh Duong. 
Many people were eager to take part in the 2014 “Red journey” campaign
These volunteers organized a gala night of the 2014 “Red journey” campaign at provincial Center for Culture and Movie. Nguyen Tan Khoi, Deputy Head of the 2014 “Red journey” campaign said: “The campaign aims to improve public awareness of blood donation and call for people’s support for patients of thalassemia, a blood disorder originating in the Mediterranean region…”. He also hoped that the “Red journey” campaign would continue receiving the attention of authorities at all levels of Binh Duong and other localities.
After the gala night, the blood donation festive day of the “Red journey” campaign was held with the participation of 80 volunteers together with Buddhist followers, Youth Union members and people across the province. Ngo Thi Thu Thuy, a student of Thu Dau Mot University expressed her pride when being selected as a volunteer of the 2014 “Red journey” program. Meanwhile, Le Anh Duc, a staff from provincial Social Support Center said that this was the first time he gave blood and it was an activity full of human significance. He added that he would further take part in the blood donation program.
Although the number of people taking part in voluntary blood donation campaign has only accounted for 0.78% of total population, the province’s voluntary blood donation campaign has constantly developed. In 2014, the province will strive to reach a target of collecting 14,500 units of blood.
Tran Thi Lien, Chairwoman of provincial Red Cross Association cum Deputy Head of provincial Steering Board of Voluntary Blood Donation said that the Steering Board has organized many training courses for propagandists and they have been also sent to meetings of mass organizations to make propaganda work…Especially, provincial Red Cross Association has also always paid attention to honoring voluntary blood donors. All have contributed to positively changing a structure of participants. Along with members of mass organizations and armed forces, the campaign has also absorbed a large number of workers and religious organizations…
According to Bach Quoc Khanh, Deputy Head of the Health Ministry's National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion (NIHBT) cum Deputy Head of the Organizing Board of the 2014 “Red journey” campaign, this year’s “Red journey” campaign carries the message of “Connecting Vietnamese bloodline”. Volunteers of the campaign will be divided into two groups, with one group in the northern region and the second in the southern region. And they will organize blood donation campaigns in 25 provinces and cities nationwide.
Mr.Khanh said: “I hope that the “Red journey” campaign will help promote the voluntary blood donation campaign in Binh Duong, contributing to dealing with a shortage of blood in medical treatment to save people’s lives…”.
Reported by Thu Thao-Translated by K.T
