HÀ NỘI — The South African Embassy in Hà Nội, the National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion of Việt Nam and the Melia Hanoi Hotel on Thursday morning held a blood drive to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Nelson Mandela International Day.

The blood drive at the Melia Hotel in Hà Nội attracted more than 200 donators, collecting 120 units of blood in four hours.

Nelson Mandela International Day was launched on July 18, 2009 and is celebrated yearly to honour Mandela’s delication to the service of humanity.

South African Ambassador to Việt Nam Mpetjane Kgaogelo Lekgoro said the day not only celebrated Nelson Mandela’s life and his legacy but it was also a global call to action for people to recognise their ability to have a positive effect on those around them.

With the blood drive, the organisers would like to convey message that 'Take Action; Inspire Change; Make Every Day a Mandela Day', he said.

Hà Thị Ngọc Minh, a worker from Melia Hanoi hotel receives a gift and certification from the National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion of Việt Nam for her voluntary blood donation. — VNS Photo Bích Hường

Hà Thị Ngọc Minh, 46 years old, has worked at the hotel for 21 years and said that as the hotel ran a yearly blood drive, she and her colleagues regularly joined.

“It’s convenient to donate blood at the hotel where we work during working hours. Our managers encouraged and supported us very much,” she said.

Guests and visitors to the hotel were also informed about the blood drive, she said, adding that she saw many of them donating blood too.

Melia Hanoi Hotel Manager Marc Selinger donates blood. — Photo courtesy of the hotel

Melia Hanoi Hotel Manager Marc Selinger said the activity was a good opportunity for the hotel to be socially responsible, particularly for community health.

"We, the embassy, the hotel and the Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion of Việt Nam, are very happy to have an idea and organised such a meaningful activity," he said. — VNS

South African Ambassador to Việt Nam Mpetjane Kgaogelo Lekgoro at the blood drive. — Photo Courtesy of Melia Hanoi Hotel