In all times and in all countries, of all genders and all ages, whether we are “black”, white or “beur”, whether our beliefs speak of God, the Prophet or Reincarnation, whether we don’t believe in anything, whether you’re a woman, a man, a vegan or a carnivore… one thing will remain common to the billions of human beings who have enjoyed themselves on Earth for millennia: the color of this strange red fluid more vital than ever flows through our veins.
1667, lamb’s blood for men
Throughout human history, there have been many experiments on transfusing blood from one being to another. And sometimes fatal. In 1667, French physician Jean-Baptiste Denis was the first to attempt to deliver lamb’s blood to a 15-year-old boy suffering from a nagging fever. He survived the action. Despite everything, if some have been cured thanks to this gesture, many others will be victims of a shock linked to the destruction of red blood cells by the recipient.
What, when, where…
You didn’t sing
Thursday 5 January from 9:30 to 12:30
In the Joan of Arc Room in Le Puy-en-Velay
You can come directly to the site or make an appointment ICI
To find out if you’re eligible to donate blood, it’s within TO BE
Attention: Come with an identity document and do not come on an empty stomach.
1818, first blood transfusion between humans
Doctors have been working this way for 150 years, crossing their fingers that the blood of “God’s” lamb (religion was still very impressive in those ancient times) saves the sick and dying. In vain. It was then that obstetrician James Blundell intervened in 1818. That year he attempted human-to-human transfer.
Despite the brilliant idea, he is faced with two obstacles that no one yet understands: ignorance of each person’s specific blood groups and blood clotting immediately after taking the sample.
Awareness of multiple blood groups
This trap was thwarted by a certain Karl Landsteiner in 1900. By dint of looking through the microscopes of the time, he discovered a detail that was more important than ever. Human blood falls into several categories, with some types thought to be incompatible with others. This discovery earned him the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 1930. His birthday, June 14, was chosen to celebrate World Blood Donor Day.
The war years
But the blood journey continues even more. Especially with the dark periods of another human history made up of soldiers, wars, swastikas and millions of dead and wounded. In 1943, John Freeman Loutit and Patrick Loudon Mollison developed anticoagulant and preservative solutions. These solutions allowed whole blood to be preserved for 21 days. It was also in this period that the first Transfusion Centers developed.
Today, blood storage time is 42 days. In-depth analyzes are carried out on the samples taken to determine the blood group of the donor and to detect any anomalies that could reveal a risk to the health of both the donor and the recipient.
You and us. And mutually…
But if researchers and scientists illustrate themselves through many publications according to the anticipations, other much more discreet but equally essential elements make this great human vessel move forward. It’s you who agrees to entrust some of this power to them, to road accidents, life accidents, from birth to old age, girls, boys, women and men. It is all of us who need each of you. And mutually.
