According to the Organizing Committee, the "Blood Drive" has consistently seen growth in the number of donors since the first event in 2012. Through this meaningful event, the US Embassy in Vietnam and the National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion (NIHBT or Blood Bank) hope to encourage more people to participate in blood donation and to raise awareness of donating blood regularly.
From the US Embassy in Vietnam, Charge d'Affaires Melissa Bishop delivered the welcoming remark to blood donors, stressing this event is held on the occasion of World Blood Donor Day (June 14). It is a practical way to honor the invaluable role of donors in public health.
 |
| Vietnamese and American delegation at the event (Photo: The US Embassy in Vietnam) |
“It is especially encouraging to see so many employees and their families, students who visit our American Center, and others from all around Hanoi who help us “Give Blood and Keep the World Beating” by donating blood,” noted Chargé d’Affaires Bishop.
 |
| US Embassy Chargé d'affaires Melissa Bishop participated in voluntary blood donation (Photo: The US Embassy in Vietnam). |
The Organizing Committee emphasized the urgent need to raise awareness of safe blood and blood products, to further highlight the critical contribution voluntary, unpaid blood donors make to national health systems. In particular, donated blood is used to save the lives of trauma victims, surgical patients, and patients with life-threatening blood diseases.
“Every day, blood donors help patients of all ages: accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant patients, and those battling cancer. Blood drives increase awareness of the need for consistent blood products and the invaluable role of donors in assuring adequate supplies to meet the ever-growing community need,” noted U.S. Embassy Medical Officer Cynthia Townsend.
 |
| Many blood donors volunteer to give blood at the event (Photo: The US Embassy in Vietnam). |
Speaking at the event, Director of NIHBT, Assoc. Prof., Dr. Nguyen Ha Thanh gave his sincere gratitude to the US Embassy in Vietnam for co-hosting a practical, meaningful "blood drive" for many years.
"American blood donors volunteering in Vietnam to save lives is a solid symbol of the good relationship between Vietnamese and American people. I hope this good work will continue in the future, and many young people and students will participate in blood donation," said Nguyen Ha Thanh.
World Blood Donor Day (June 14)
According to World Health Organization (WHO), the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the International Blood Transfusion Association, and the World Association of Blood Donors, June 14 every year is the designated day to honor blood donors.
In Vietnam, since the National Blood Donation Program started in 2001, there has been great progress in increasing the blood reserve of volunteers.
In the first time "Blood Drive" by the US Embassy in 2012, there were 62 volunteer blood donors. Seven years later in the 2019 "Blood Drive", there were 250 volunteers. This year 2023 marked the first blood donation event after 3 years of hiatus due to COVID-19, expecting to receive 200 blood units from both locals and foreigners.
Long Pham / Vietnamtimes
