Every summer, when going on vacation, the French Blood Establishment (EFS) tries to re-mobilize blood donors, and faces a major shortage.
To avoid this phenomenon this year, the EFS is launching an awareness campaign among the general public, with a simple and effective formula: “On vacation I also donate my blood. This summer, save lives. “
During the year, work, family obligations, personal activities and busy schedules can make donating blood difficult. On the other hand, on vacation, we have more time and fewer concerns. Giving blood therefore seems less complicated, especially since we have plenty of time to rest afterwards. However, it is not always easy to find a nearby blood collection point. To resolve this brake on donation, the EFS is organizing fixed and mobile collections near tourist sites this summer. And for those who stay to work in the city, mobile collections will also be set up, especially in Lyon or Ile-de-France.
The EFS thus hopes to succeed in obtaining the 10,000 blood donations needed every day in France to meet the needs of patients. Traffic accidents, people with blood diseases or even immunocompromised people are among the patients who require transfusions of blood, white blood cells or platelets.
Thanks to donors, 114 people are transfused every hour and 19 donations are made every minute on average. However, the lifespans of a bag of red blood cells (42 days) and platelets (5 days) are short, which is why regular mobilization is vital to maintain reserves.
Who can donate?
A man can donate blood up to six times a year, compared to four times for a woman. To be a donor, you must be of legal age and in good health, weigh more than 50 kg and not have recently had any risky behavior (use of non-sterile syringes, tattoos, unprotected sex, etc.). On the other hand, people over 70 and gay men are excluded from the donation. This last definitive exclusion is currently under discussion and should evolve into a temporary exclusion in the coming months. All information relating to blood donation and collection locations is available on the EFS website.
Read also :
Blood donation: how does it work?
Infographic: the conditions to be able to donate blood