38,000 blood units collected in Red Journey 2017

• Police officers in Hai Phong join blood donation day
• Red Journey 2017 to help deal with shortage of blood supply
• Can Tho Police actively join blood donation program "Red of Tay Do"
• Ca Mau Provincial Police join blood donation day

Volunteers traveled throughout 28 provinces and cities across Vietnam in July to collect blood and raise public awareness of the importance of blood donation. 38,000 blood units were collected nationwide, 50% more than the set target.

38,000 blood units collected in Red Journey 2017

Professor Nguyen Anh Tri, Director of the National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, said the 5th event of its kind aims to replenish blood shortages during summer months.

"Dengue fever broke out in Vietnam months ago and became worst in July. Many patients were saved thanks to the blood collected in the Red Journey program, which has encouraged many more people to donate their blood for medical treatment," Tri added.

First launched in 2013, the Red Journey campaign has so far collected 115,000 blood units to meet the growing demand for emergency and treatment cases. 

More than 5 million Vietnamese people suffer from Thalassemia, with 20,000 patients receiving treatment and over 2,000 children born with the disease.