After a disappointing month of January, the French blood establishment is counting on a large mobilization. Blood requirements remain high.
While only 4% of the population donates blood each year, the EFS hopes to mobilize the Upper Pyrenees. Throughout the month of February, the department will be concerned with collections as close as possible to the territory: “We travel to allow everyone not to have to go to the donation center in Tarbes” says Sonia Barbe, in charge of the donation promotion.
The first collections of the month in Lourdes on February 7 and 8 have already given satisfactory results, with 71 and 74 people responding. “We worked well on the city, we are happy with the result” assures Sonia Barbe, hoping that this trend will continue.
Between 6 and 7 people are mobilized to receive the donors, including a doctor and two or three nurses.
How to donate blood?
To be able to donate, it’s very simple: registration can be done online, but is not compulsory. You must weigh more than 50 kg, be between 18 and 71 years old, and not be fasting. Also remember to bring your identity card, which is mandatory.
Only thirty minutes will be needed to carry out an important action for the sick: “the goal is to help them” confirms Sonia Barbe. The uses are daily, numerous and essential: emergency aid, surgical interventions, people with blood diseases, or cancers… To date, no treatment or synthetic drug can replace human blood, recalls the EFS .
Collections throughout the department
In total, more than thirty dates are planned: February 10 in Plaisance du Gers, February 13 in Aureilhan, February 14 in Maubourguet, February 15 in Cazaubon, February 16 in Eauze, February 20 in Luz-Saint- Sauveur, on the 21st in Saint-Lary, on the 22nd in Cauterets, on the 23rd in Luchon, on the 27th in Bordères-Bazet and on February 28, and March 1st in Lannemezan. The entire calendar, timetables and collection points are available on the blood donation site: “www.dondsang.efs.sante.fr”. By entering the postal code in the “or give?” you can also make an appointment at the place that interests you.
