(VNF) - The U.S. Embassy’s seventh “Give a Tet Gift of Life” annual blood drive was held on Friday. The event drew the participation of nearly 250 donors, including U.S. Ambassador Daniel Kritenbrink and the Deputy Chief of Mission, Caryn McClelland.

US Ambassador Kritenbrink shows his support for Vietnam's U23 football team by posing with the calligraphic message "Vietnam the Winner" (photo: Phi Yen)

The blood drive is an annual charitable programme held by the US Embassy and the National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion (NIHBT), aiming to recognize the Vietnam National Blood Program’s accomplishment of increasing Vietnam’s blood supply, especially through voluntary donors and support successful efforts in educating the population on the importance of voluntary donation.

Held prior to the Lunar New Year (Tet) festival, blood drive is considered a practical activity which benefit the community, as during Tet holiday, the demand for blood transfusion tends to rise, while the supply tends to drop.

It is the second time Cultural Affairs Officer Marcia Anglarill takes part in the US Embassy's Blood Drive in Vietnam. According to her, blood drive held by the Embassy facilitates the participation of staff, since it is very convenient and time-saving. (photo: Phi Yen)

The donated blood is used to save lives of trauma victims, surgical patients, and patients with life-threatening blood diseases.

“It is especially encouraging to see so many employees and their families, students who visit our American Center, and others from all around Hanoi who help us ‘Give a Tet Gift of Life’ by donating blood,” noted Ambassador Kritenbrink.

Ambassador Kritenbrink is an enthusiastic supporter of the blood drive programme. "I and my colleagues in the Embassy would like to demonstrate that the American people are good friends and partners of the Vietnamese people," he said cheerfully. (photo: Phi Yen)

“Blood drives like this also increase awareness regarding the importance of having a consistent supply of blood, and the critical role volunteer blood donors can play,” noted U.S. Embassy Medical Officer Susan Tang.

By the afternoon of Friday (Jan 26), the programme has received 212 units of blood which is qualified for tranfusion./.

( Phi Yen )