HCM CITY – The Red Journey blood donation campaign this year will be carried out in 30 provinces and cities during July.

The campaign expects to call on around 40,000 volunteers to donate at least 35,000 units of blood to meet emergency aid and treatment.

In addition, 50,000 people will be provided counseling on the medical condition of thalassaemia, a genetic blood disorder that can lead to heart failure and liver problems.

The campaign, which is organised by the National Institute of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, will also present 1,000 gifts to patients with financial difficulties.

Around 140 of the volunteers will also visit martyrs’ cemeteries and historical monuments in 30 provinces and cities served by the campaign.

Nguyễn Anh Trí, director of the National Institute of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, said the campaign had been carried out for four years, and had donated nearly 80,000 blood units.

In Việt Nam, a shortage of blood for emergency aid and treatment often occurs in summer and during Tết, the Lunar New Year holidays.

Blood donations only meet 60 per cent of the demand at hospitals.

Many patients, including those with thalassaemia, are waiting for blood for transfusion.

The country has 20,000 thalassaemia patients that are regularly treated at hospitals.

More than five million people in Việt Nam are born with a gene that can promote the development of thalassaemia. Each year, more than 2,000 children are born with the gene. – VNS