(VOVworld) – A blood donation program dubbed “Red Journey” arrived in the Mekong Delta province of Can Tho on Tuesday to collect 1000 units of blood. The program, touring 15 cities and provinces across Vietnam, is being held for the first time this year by the National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion.

Volunteers are enthusiastic in a launch ceremony of the "Red Journey" program. (Photo: VOV)

Blood donors including officials, cadres, soldiers, and students have helped ease the blood shortage this summer. The “Red Journey” program is part of the “Summer Red Blood” campaign which hopes to collect a million units of blood in 2013. Deputy Head of the Institute Pham Tuan Duong said:"During its tour, “Red Journey”, in association with local agencies, has received a large number of blood units. The goal is at least 3000 units per day to ease the high costs for patients and their families".

Can Tho city is the second destination of “Red Journey”, which began in the southern province of Ca Mau on July 7^th and will conclude in Hanoi on July 27^th.