On the occasion of the start of the school year, the French are invited to donate blood after a shortage during the summer. The need is urgent in the West Indies, affected by the Chikungunya virus.
School starts again soon. As every year, the French blood establishment (EFS) mobilizes all potential donors. The campaign is placed under the sign of vigilance, in reference to the epidemic of the Chikungunya virus which has been raging since December 2013 in the West Indies and which considerably affects blood donations in these regions.
300 blood bags sent to the West Indies
“The Chikungunya epidemic strongly affects the population of these regions. Also, to meet the needs of patients, the metropolis sends around 300 blood bags every week to West Indian patients, ”said a press release published on Monday on the establishment’s website. This collection is also crucial for French hospitals. Indeed, the lifespan of blood products being limited (42 days for red blood cells and 5 days for platelets), 10,000 donations per day are necessary to replenish the stocks of health establishments.
Only 4% of regular donors
Blood transfusion is used to treat blood diseases (thalassemia, sickle cell anemia). It is also useful against hemorrhages that may occur during childbirth or during surgery. Thanks to blood donation, 1 million patients are treated each year. To be eligible for a blood donation, several conditions are required: be between 18 and 70 years old, not be pregnant, weigh more than 50 kilos, cannot have undergone surgery during the four months preceding the donation, never have had sex with a person of the same sex and, of course, be in good physical health. The number of annual blood donations is limited to 4 for women and 6 for men and must be done every 8 weeks.
According to the EFS, the majority of French people (98%) believe that donating blood saves lives. However, only 4% do so every year.
Numerous fixed collection sites (151) and 40,000 mobile sites (trucks, municipal halls) are made available to donors throughout the year. People wishing to make a donation can visit the site www.dondusang.net to consult the collection point closest to their home.
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