Local residents in HCM City donate blood as part of the Hành Trình Đỏ (Red Journey) campaign that kicked off yesterday (July 21) in HCM City. — VNS Photo Thu Hằng

HCM CITY — Thousands of local residents in HCM City are participating in the national 8th blood-donation campaign Hành Trình Đỏ (Red Journey) that kicked off yesterday (July 21) in HCM City.

Trần Trường Sơn, chairman of the Việt Nam Red Cross Society- HCM City chapter, said the voluntary blood donation movement in the city would help ensure a stable blood supply for medial treatment and emergencies.

The campaign aims to educate the public about the importance of blood donation and encourage them to donate to ease the blood shortage during the summer break, Sơn said.

As many as 1,000 units of blood in the first day of the campaign are expected to be donated.

The Red Journey campaign takes place from June 6 to August 2 in 42 provinces and cities. It was launched by the national steering committee for blood donations and the Ministry of Health.

It targets collecting at least 50,000 units of blood during the two-month campaign. — VNS