A metro train painted red to promote World Blood Donor Day begins its first journey in Wuxi on June 11. [Photo/wxrb.com]

Wuxi city has re-decorated one of its metro Line 1 trains to promote World Blood Donor Day, which falls on June 14, local media reported.

The customized train started its first journey from Taihu Square Station in downtown Wuxi on June 11, after a launch ceremony organized by the metro company and the municipal blood bank.

The interior of the re-designed train's carriages are now painted red, with information and illustrations about blood donation posted on the walls.

The interior of the metro train's carriages are painted red with information about becoming a blood donor posted on the walls. [Photo/Wuxi Metro]

Thirteen blood donors rode the train on its maiden trip, and shared their stories and thoughts on the charitable cause.

"I have a rare blood type. So I will make blood donations whenever there is a need," said Zhang Xiaorong, a 39-year-old bus driver.

Wuxi has done an excellent job encouraging local residents to give blood, winning the national title of "advanced city of voluntary and unpaid blood donations" five times. Around 43,000 people in Wuxi made unpaid blood donations last year.