The US Embassy in Hanoi on Friday kicked off the embassy’s eight “Give a Tet Gift of Life” blood drive as a gesture to support people in need of the precious liquid.

US Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Caryn McClelland donates blood at the event. Photo: US embassy

“Seeing Americans and Vietnamese – many of our staff, their families, and our regular visitors of the American Center – come together to donate blood and ‘Give a Tet Gift of Life’ is very inspiring,” said US Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Caryn McClelland at the event. She was joined by National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion Vice Director Pham Tuan Duong.

“This year the United States and Vietnam celebrate 25 years of diplomatic relations, and I believe today’s event demonstrates our shared commitment to build lasting people-to-people ties at every level,” McClelland added.

A key goal of the blood drive is 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.

Since the National Blood Program launched 2001, Vietnam has shown great progress in increasing its percentage of blood supply from voluntary donors. The US Embassy supports the National Blood Program during a holiday season that routinely faces a decrease in donors. The donated blood is used to save lives of trauma victims, surgical patients, and patients with life-threatening blood diseases.

“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 US Embassy Medical Officer Shawn Lockett.

The US embassy’s blood drive has consistently seen growth in the number of donors since the first event in 2012 with a total of 269 donors at this year’s blood drive.