Deputy Minister of Health Nguyễn Thị Xuyên addresses 2012 World Blood Donor Day campaign

(VOVworld) - Hanoi will host a ceremony this Sunday to honour outstanding blood donors from across the country for their contribution to humanitarian aid.  The National Steering Committee on Voluntary Blood Donation annouced this upcoming ceremony this morning in a press conference. Donors will participate in a wide range of activities including attending the three-region meeting, offering incense at Hung Kings temple, visiting Ho Chi Minh mausoleum, and meeting with Vice President. Deputy Minister of Health Nguyễn Thị Xuyên said the theme of the 2012 World Blood Donor Day campaign, “Every blood donor is a hero”, conveys great humanity of voluntary blood donation. Individuals and organizations should actively join the campaign of giving the life-saving gift. Such contribution is deeply appreciated.

A large blood donation festival entitled “I love donating blood” will also be held this Sunday in Hanoi, which is expected to receive 1500 units of blood. In 2011, there were over 700 thousand blood donors in Vietnam. Many of them have donated blood several times and encourage others to do the same, to give hundreds units of blood for saving lives. The amount of blood received each year has increased by 14% on average while voluntary blood donations have increased 20% annually. Hanoi, Da Nang, Can Tho, and Ho Chi Minh city are among the top cities and provinces for quantity of blood collected.