The annual drive, the second of its kind, saw 120 volunteers go on atrip through 25 cities and provinces to encourage locals to donate bloodand raise public awareness of thalassaemia – a genetic blood disorderthat can lead to heart failure and liver problems, said Director ofthe National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion Nguyen AnhTri.
The campaign was launched in the southernprovince of Kien Giang on July 3, and at each stop, the volunteersorganized blood donation events, attracting a large number ofparticipants.
According to the World HealthOrganisation (WHO), Vietnam needs nearly 2 million units of bloodeach year. About 7 percent of the world population have thalassaemiagene, with Vietnam among the high-risk areas. The country recordsmore than 20,000 patients with the disease on an annual basis.
Last year, the Red Journey drew over 100 volunteers travelling to 15cities and provinces, collecting more than 13,000 blood units.-VNA