Universities, schools, businesses. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, many collection sites are no longer accessible for the French blood establishment. And the consequences are felt in mid-May. “We can say that we have reached thecritical threshold“, admits Anne Candé, deputy head of samples in Eure and Seine-Maritime. In the region, there are only 9 days of blood reserves instead of 14. For some type O blood groups, there are even less than 5 days of reserves.
A city collection at the Rouen Town Hall
“With the loss of our collection sites, we can no longer rely on our city collections.“explains Anne Candé. There are therefore 130 donation slots that can be reserved online to participate in the collection at Rouen Town Hall, this Thursday, between 9 a.m. and 5:45 p.m.
Making collections in the city center is essential for the proper functioning of the EFS, as is trying to break down prejudices about donation. Anne Candé wants to reassure people ready to take the plunge. “A blood donation lasts no more than an hour. Between the administration, and the snack to ensure that the donor leaves in good shape, the sample itself lasts about ten minutes. It’s a fairly convivial moment, which generally goes very well.“
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Today, it is mainly thanks to regular donors that the EFS maintains its reserves. They do not hesitate to go to the donation centers, which are always open. But their numbers have declined in recent times. “I had not given for a long time“says Philippe, retired. Lying in the collection room at the Bois-Guillaume center, he patiently awaits the end of his donation.”But my wife donated yesterday and I donated today, then we will come back every three months.“Around Philippe, there are only regulars.
“Lately there has been a big drop in attendance, notes Julie, a nurse in charge of the samples. Before we revolved around 70 pockets per day. Yesterday there weren’t even 50.“The challenge is therefore to find new donors.”We really need to grow our donor portfolio, explains Anne Candé. I know these are tough times, but the patients still need us.”
An essential product
Because blood donation is a cornerstone of many treatments. One donation saves three lives as the EFS campaign says. Once treated, a blood bag can have many uses. Platelets are generally intended for cancer patients. Red blood cells can, for example, be donated to people having surgery or giving birth. And the third component of blood, plasma, is needed by children and adults with immune deficiencies.
The only concern is that the lifespan of a blood bag is low: 42 days for red blood cells and only 7 for platelets. “We are supposed to maintain a certain number of platelet donations per week, explains Julie. But we’re really struggling.“The nurse only hopes for one thing, that the donors finally answer the call.
