On June 2nd, at the Dak Lak Province Cultural Center, the National Institute of Hematology - Blood Transfusion, in coordination with the Provincial Voluntary Blood Donation Steering Committee of Dak Lak Province, organized the Opening Ceremony of the 12th National Red Journey Program and the "Highland Pink Drops" Voluntary Blood Donation Day in 2024.

Ms. Bui Thi Hoa, Permanent Deputy Head of the National Steering Committee for Voluntary Blood Donation, President of the Vietnam Red Cross Society, delivered a speech at the ceremony.
Attending the Opening Ceremony, from the Central level, were the Permanent Deputy Head of the National Steering Committee for Voluntary Blood Donation, President of the Vietnam Red Cross Society, Bui Thi Hoa; Director of the National Institute of Hematology - Blood Transfusion, Head of the 2024 Red Journey Organization Committee, Nguyen Ha Thanh, and representatives of relevant units.
From Dak Lak Province, there were the Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, Pham Ngoc Nghi; Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, Head of the Provincial Voluntary Blood Donation Steering Committee, H’Yim Kđoh; Chairwoman of the Provincial Red Cross Society Ayun H’Huong; and representatives of relevant units along with numerous volunteers.

Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Pham Ngoc Nghi presented Certificates of Commendation to individuals.
The Red Journey is the largest voluntary blood donation program in the country, directed by the National Steering Committee for Voluntary Blood Donation, led by the National Institute of Hematology - Blood Transfusion, in coordination with relevant units and provincial Voluntary Blood Donation Steering Committees, organized nationwide since 2013. After more than a decade of organization, the Red Journey has become a massive communication campaign, mobilizing and organizing blood donations on the largest scale in Vietnam. To date, the program has attracted millions of participants, receiving over 815,000 blood units. In 2024, the 12th Red Journey Program will be held in 51 provinces and cities over a period of 2 months. This is also the year with the highest number of localities participating in the Red Journey program.

President of the Vietnam Red Cross Society Bui Thi Hoa and Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee H’Yim Kđoh presented Certificates of Commendation to exemplary blood donors in the province.
In 2024, the Red Journey program strives to achieve goals such as: promoting and advising 1 million people on voluntary blood donation and thalassemia; receiving a minimum of 120,000 blood units; mobilizing at least 8,000 volunteers in localities who are officials, Red Cross members, youth, Red Journey volunteers, and participants in humanitarian activities in localities and units.
Speaking at the ceremony, Permanent Deputy Head of the National Steering Committee for Voluntary Blood Donation, President of the Vietnam Red Cross Society Bui Thi Hoa proposed that the Steering Committee for Voluntary Blood Donation of localities and the Red Journey Organization Committee closely adhere to the program's objectives, requirements, and targets to develop plans and implement them appropriately according to the actual conditions of the locality; enhancing various forms of communication about the humanitarian values of blood donation and organ donation to save lives. President of the Vietnam Red Cross Society Bui Thi Hoa expressed gratitude to compassionate people who are willing to share their valuable blood and called on everyone to register for organ donation, embodying the spirit of "Open-hearted compassion - Spreading love - Lighting hope - Continuing hope - Sowing the seeds of life".

Director of the National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, Head of the 2024 Red Journey Organization Committee Nguyen Ha Thanh spoke at the program.
On this occasion, the Central Red Journey Organizing Committee presented commemorative flags to the Provincial Voluntary Blood Donation Steering Committees of participating provinces and cities; presented flowers and tokens of gratitude "Golden Heart" to accompanying agencies, units, and sponsors; the People's Committee of Dak Lak Province awarded Certificates of Commendation to 4 officers of the National Institute of Hematology - Blood Transfusion who have had achievements in the province's blood donation work from 2014 to 2024 and presented Certificates of Commendation to honor 56 exemplary blood donors in the province in 2024.

Volunteers participating in blood donation at the program.
After the opening ceremony, many people from ethnic groups in Dak Lak Province registered for blood donation at the "Highland Pink Drops" Donation Day. The Organizing Committee received more than 1,000 people registered for blood donation, thereby receiving more than 600 blood units.
Minh Hue