“The level of blood product reserves is low and the situation is very fragile“said theFrench Blood Establishment (EFS). On the eve of World Blood Donor Day, which will be held on June 14, 2016, the EFS calls for a massive mobilization of donors. “As summer approaches, a sensitive period when the number of collections drops, it is important to come donate bloodfrom today“underlines the EFS, which recalls that currently, no product or drug can replace human blood. Each year, a million patients are treated thanks to blood donations.
How to donate blood?
To donate blood, go to one of the 132 fixed EFS blood collection sites located throughout the country or in the mobile collection points near you, provided with an identity document. Allow about an hour to make a donation (prior interview with a doctor, donation itself which will last 5 to 10 minutes and recovery time).
Who can be a donor?
To donate blood, plasma or platelets, you must fulfill some conditions :
– be over 18 and under 70
– weigh at least 50 kilos
– be in good health, with a sufficient hemoglobin level.
Blood donation is prohibited for pregnant women for up to six months after childbirth. The minimum period between two donations must be eight weeks. A man can make up to six donations per year, four for a woman.
From July 2016, men homosexuals and bisexuals will be able to donate bloodprovided you have observed sexual abstinence for at least one year.
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