After 10 years of collecting in the Vaulabelle room, now under construction, the “My blood for others” campaign will be held at the Bienvenu-Martin gymnasium for its eleventh year in Auxerre. “The City graciously lends it to us and helped us find the place. It’s big, there’s a car park… But it’s still a source of questions, because it’s out of the way”, worries Cécile Maillet Mignot, communications officer at the French Blood Establishment (EFS).
Especially since this campaign is of paramount importance:
“You can donate blood all year round at the Maison du Don. But these event campaigns allow you to put the spotlight on it. It is on this occasion, with promotion, that you can impact the general public.”
Cécile Maillet Mignot (French Blood Establishment)
“For 100 people of age to donate, only 3.03 people take the plunge”
Because in the Yonne, it is difficult to mobilize. The generosity index is 3.03. This means that for every 100 people of age to donate, only 3.03 people take the plunge. A low figure compared to that of the Côte-d’Or, at 4.92. “We consider that we must aim for 5. Which means that we still have development potential. With the means committed to the campaign, we can find new donors. In particular with the help of partners who give their their time and person for this public service mission”, continues Cécile Maillet Mignot.
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The partners in question are three in number, and divide the work. Upstream of the collection first, the two Rotary clubs. “With Jean-Paul Martin, of the Rotary Club Saint-Germain, we set up the partnership with the EFS eleven years ago. But this partnership between the service clubs and the EFS has existed for 25 years, the first took place in Toulouse and the idea then spread from club to club”, says Alain Garde, of the Rotary club of Auxerre. Rotarians’ mission is to inform people who have not yet given blood, especially young people. “We go to schools, to Greta, to the Compagnons du Devoir, to Ifag… We have to make them aware.”
They’re scared at the first bite, but once they’ve gotten over it, they’re happy to help, free of charge.
The Rotarians also put up the posters provided by the EFS and prepare the room.
Always upstream, the Association of voluntary blood donors of Auxerre, towed in the streets this week to publicize the campaign. “Throughout the year, we go to garage sales, pink strides, the forum of associations. We make known, we give visibility to the EFS. We go to see the mayors, we sign pledges , we relaunch regular donors that we have not seen for a long time…”, details the president Philippe Grossot. Members of the association will also be mobilized on Saturday to welcome donors.
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The Inner Wheel women’s club, a women’s service club with more than 500,000 members worldwide, will also be on the front line. “We manage the food part, that is to say the after-donation snack. We plan homemade, we will be behind the buffet”, declares the president Marie-Claude Augé.
A number
222 people showed up during the My blood for others campaign in 2015 in Auxerre, the highest attendance in ten years. “This is explained: the population came in reaction to the attacks, indicates the EFS.
Replenish stocks
These organizations are working together to bring in as many potential donors as possible on Saturday. “We will have a sufficient team, with nine or twelve possible samples at the same time, four nurses, two or three doctors”, list Cécile Maillet Mignot at the EFS. She hopes to replenish the reserves. “It’s quite tense and fragile in general after Christmas. The ideal is to have between twelve and fourteen days of stock. There, we are at eleven”.
Useful information
Who can donate?To donate blood, all you need to do is be between 18 and 70 years old and weigh at least 50 kg. You also need to feel fit enough. If this is your case, you can then complete a questionnaire available online, at dondesang.efs.sante.fr/quiz. But be careful, only the doctor who will receive you for an interview on D-Day is able to decide whether or not you can donate your blood.
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Comment ?To limit the wait, it is strongly recommended to book a time slot in advance, on the website of the French Blood Establishment (EFS). Places are still available. “If someone arrives without an appointment and we have time to take them, we will do so. Otherwise, we offer them a slot during the day or to return to the Maison du don”, indicates Cécile Maillet Mignot, from the EFS.
On D-Day, you will need to bring photo ID, and above all not arrive on an empty stomach or sick.
Where ?The “My blood for others” collection in Auxerre usually takes place in the Vaulabelle room, which is closed for renovations this year. The collection will therefore take place at the Bienvenu-Martin gymnasium, at 5 avenue Rodin, this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Not available that day? Meet at the Maison du don d’Auxerre, 2 boulevard de Verdun. It is open Tuesday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Wednesday and Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. More information at 03.86.42.03.70.
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Lucile Preux
