On the occasion of the 10th World Blood Donor Day, blood establishments thank their donors and try to recruit new ones. But what is this blood for?
Above all, you should know that blood is irreplaceable. No synthetic product is capable of replacing it to date. However, this liquid is essential to save lives in two specific situations: emergencies and chronic needs.
Once collected from the donor, the different constituents of the blood (red blood cells, plasma and platelets) are separated and sent to different health establishments, as needed. For example, during childbirth, surgery or an accident, hemorrhage can occur. The transfusion of blood products is vital and very urgent. This data also influences the location of maternity hospitals and the organization of the distribution of blood products in France.
Diseases and Medicines
In other cases, certain diseases such as leukemia affect the production of blood cells. The patient requires regular and large transfusions. “When treating cancer, for example, chemotherapy causes the destruction of cancer cells, but also the temporary destruction of bone marrow cells. The body can no longer renew blood cells on its own”, explains the Establishment. French blood on its site. Only a transfusion support allows the patient’s body to regenerate.
The same is the case for certain genetic diseases, with the difference that patients need blood transfusions all their life. Finally, blood donations also allow the manufacture of plasma-based drugs. Used by 500,000 people each year, they treat hemophilia and people with immune deficiencies.
For more information, visit the website of the French Blood Establishment: ww.dondusang.net.
