The Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in northwest China launched a one-month campaign on Tuesday to mobilize donors of Rh- blood for the upcoming Olympic Games, according to the local health administration.

Xinjiang health authorities at all levels planned to mobilize at least 800 people to donate 30,000 ml of the rare blood to increase stock in Beijing. The donation might help to ensure blood supply for athletes, particularly foreign participants, during the Olympiad period, Wang said.

About 10 percent of the Xinjiang population, especially Uygur ethnic people, belonged to the Rh-blood group, much higher than the national average ratio of 0.3 percent, said Wang Beijiang, head of the health bureau of Urumqi, the regional capital.

People of Rh-blood group are rare in other places of China, but nearly 15 percent of caucasians' blood group is Rh.

The registration process will complete as of July 20 and donors will not give blood until August 2. The donations will be transported by air to the Beijing Red Cross Blood Center before the opening of the Games on Aug. 8.

"The sporting events are of great significance for China, and every Chinese should share responsibility," said 24-year-old Raliyen, a Uygur woman.

"As the owners of a type of rare blood, we should help others to sustain their lives when they are in critical situation," said Raliyen, the first donor of the campaign in Urumqi on Tuesday.

(Xinhua News Agency July 9, 2008)