A festival for young people to donate blood was held in 13 cities and provinces nationwide on January 9. The festival attracted over 150,000 young people, in which more than 82,000 registered to donated blood. A total number of blood units collected was 20,000 units.

Young people register to donate blood in Hanoi on January 9. (Photo:VOV)

The festival launched by the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union to cerebrate Student’s Day (January 9) and the Youth Year of 2011 was held in the following areas: Hanoi, Tuyen Quang, Quang Ninh, Thanh Hoa, Nam Dinh, Ha Tinh, Thua Thien – Hue, Khanh Hoa, Kon Tum, Ho Chi Minh City, Dong Nai, Can Tho and Kien Giang.

In Hanoi, the festival was held at Thong Nhat Park, in the Hai Ba Trung District. The event attracted more than 120,000 young people and representatives from ministries and various departments.

At the opening ceremony, 61 outstanding students, that had donated blood more than five times, were specially honoured for their blood donations. On the January 9, 15,000 young people registered in Hanoi to donate blood.

It is estimated that 2,000 units of blood was collected yesterday in the capital.

Dr. Nguyen Anh Tri, director of the Institute of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, said the number of blood units collected would be used for emergency cases at hospitals.

Dr. Tri said the institute receives 10,000-20,000 units of blood on average per month, which meets about 60 percent of our demand; therefore, these events save people’s lives.

In Ho Chi Minh City, on the same day a similar event took place. This event was sponsor by the Committee of HCMC Communist Youth Union, with the Cho Ray Hospital and the city’s Haematology and Blood Transfusion Centre.

The event attracted more than 1,000 young people, who donated 1,000 units of blood.

In conclusion, the number of young people registering to give blood for 2011 is expected to be over 68,800 units of blood in the city.

Source: SGGP