The event involved more than 2,000 volunteers to assist blood donors, besides the attendance of Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan and Health Minister Nguyen Thi Kim Tien.Hach Quang Huy who is both a volunteer and a blood donor, said, “I already gave my blood and I’m now taking care of other blood donors. The blood donation drive is held twice a year on the Tet holiday and in summer. Blood donation is a noble act.”
Doctor Ngo Manh Quan from the National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion said they expect to receive 8,000 blood units for treatment at 150 hospitals in northern provinces. “The blood collected will be used immediately. We hope that the festival will fill blood banks in Hanoi,” he added.
In her speech, Minister of Health Nguyen Thi Kim Tien, Head of the National Steering Committee for Voluntary Blood Donation greatly valued the role of youth and students in blood donation events. She wished the initiative will continue in the time ahead to encourage people in all walks of life to donate their blood to save lives.
Launched in 1997, the annual festival has collected nearly 42,000 units of blood. The event was organised by the National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion (NIHBT), the Hanoi Steering Committee for voluntary blood donation, and the Hanoi Association of Youth Blood Donor Recruiters, aiming to raise public awareness of voluntary blood donation.
An estimated 25,000 people, of whom 1,000 were volunteers, participated on the first day of the month-long event, which is expected to collect nearly 8,000 units of blood.
Minister of Health Nguyen Thi Kim Tien said that over the past 22 years, the blood donation movement in Vietnam has gained considerable achievements, particularly with the success of the Pink Spring Festival, an initiative by the NIHBT and Hanoi authorities that aims to tackle blood scarcity after the Lunar New Year (Tet) holiday.
The minister also wished the institute and the city to continue the initiative, encouraging people in all walks of life to donate their blood to save lives. This year’s festival will also feature art performances with the participation of famous singers and artists.
The followings are some beautiful images in the festival:
