The Ministry of Health and the National Blood Transfusion Center are staging a ten-day campaign to promote voluntary blood donation in connection with World Blood Donor Day that is marked on June 18, IPN reports.

The Ministry of Health said the blood transfusion needs in Moldova are fully satisfied with the annual 80,000 blood donations that help about 150,000 patients. However, only 51,000 donations of these are from voluntary donors. The goal is to increase the number of voluntary blood donations by at least 5% a year.

The most important event of the campaign will take place on June 18, when blood collection units will be set up in the municipality of Chisinau: in the square of the Public Garden “Stephan the Great” (9am – 3pm); at the shopping center MallDova (10am – 4pm); in the square on Miron Costin St (9am – 3pm); at the Ciocana district head’s office (9am – 3pm), and at the National Blood Transfusion Center are (8am – 3pm).

On the same day, a cultural event entitled “Homage to those who save lives – voluntary blood donors” will be staged in the central park of Chisinau.