For Mardi Gras, donate your blood at Clos Vougeot!

How to donate blood while having fun? To fight against the shortage, the EFS invites volunteers to a disguised day at the Château du Clos de Vougeot on March 1st.

What if giving blood became a playful gesture?

Faced with the shortage, the French blood establishment (EFS) in Bourgogne Franche-Comté is multiplying original initiatives. Next date: come in disguise to the Château du Clos Vougeot on the occasion of Mardi Gras on March 1, 2022 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

This is the third time that the famous wine estate has hosted this type of operation. After the success of the two collections in 2021, this time it’s about coming dressed as a historical figure (king, queen, Greek god, poet…). You have to sign up on the website.

As a reward, the volunteers will be able to regain their strength thanks to dishes offered by the association of Vive la Bourgogne Franche-Comté producers, Velleminfroy water, the Mistral biscuit factory and Saborec cured meats.

A dangerous shortage

Since the confinement of March 2020, blood supplies have been at their lowest. For the first time in its history, the‘EFS published on February 8, 2022 a “vital emergency bulletin” because the stock of blood products has been below the safety threshold and has been for several days. 70,000 bags of red blood cells are now in reserve when 100,000 are needed.

Since the beginning of 2020, blood donation has accumulated a recruitment deficit of 27%.

Several factors explain this chronic shortage which has become dangerous for health. At first, donations fell because the faithful, often elderly, spaced out their outings and their donations. All external collections within companies and universities have also been cancelled.

The Covid epidemic, with its Omicron wave, has again restricted the number of potential donors because it is impossible to donate while the infection lasts.

Added to this is the absenteeism of EFS staff and difficulties in recruiting medical staff.

At the same time, the needs have not decreased: 10,000 donations are needed every day in France to treat patients, the vast majority of whom find blood transfusions the only alternative to being treated.

shock campaigns

To attract young people, the AFS is developing a playful image of blood donation. Beyond the citizen gesture, it is a question of proposing a pleasant moment. The gift houses in Burgundy are multiplying thematic weeks (Hawaiian, Christmas, Chinese New Year). Collection events in nightclubs or at the Museum of Fine Arts in Dijon have also been carried out.

The latest commercial for plasma donation plays on young adults’ need to drop out.

The EFS has also increased its presence on social networks with funny posts.

Who can donate blood?

Any adult, aged 18 to 70, weighing at least 50 kg, in good shape can donate blood. You just have to come with your ID and submit a medical questionnaire.

In the event of a positive test for Covid-19, the delay before any donation is between 5 and 10 days depending on the symptoms and the vaccination schedule. It is possible to donate immediately after vaccination but it is not mandatory to be vaccinated to donate.

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