US Embassy encourages more people in Hanoi to donate blood

US Embassy's Hanoi Blood Drive 2023 strongly encourages more people in Hanoi to become blood donors and donate blood regularly to build a solid foundation for a sustainable national blood supply, said US Embassy Chargé d'Affaires Melissa Bishop at the opening ceremony of the US Embassy's 9th blood drive on June 13.

This year's campaign, themed "Give Blood and Keep the World Beating," coincided with World Blood Donor Day [June 14].

"It is especially encouraging to see so many employees and their families, students visiting our American Center, and others from all over Hanoi helping us "Give Blood and Keep the World Beating" by donating blood," said Chargé d'Affaires Bishop.

Since the launch of the National Blood Program in 2001, Vietnam has made great strides in increasing the percentage of its blood supply from voluntary donors.

The US Embassy in Hanoi is proud to partner with the National Institute of Hematology - Blood Transfusion (NIHBT or Blood Bank) to celebrate World Blood Donor Day by hosting a blood drive to raise awareness of the need for safe blood and blood products and to highlight the critical contribution of voluntary, unpaid blood donors to national health systems. Donated blood is used to save the lives of trauma victims, surgical patients, and patients with life-threatening blood disorders.

"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 raise awareness of the need for consistent blood products, and the invaluable role donors play in ensuring an adequate supply to meet the ever-growing needs of the community," said Cynthia Townsend, US Embassy Medical Officer.

The US Embassy's blood drive has seen a steady increase in donors since the first event in 2012.

First volunteers donate blood on June 13 at US Embassy. Photo: The US Embassy

Employees of the US Embassy take part in a voluntary blood drive.

Melissa Bishop, Charge d'affaires at the US Embassy, said she is a regular blood donor.