Give the Gift of Life: Blood Donation Drives Save Lives in Your Community
Donors, you are making a real difference! Your dedication to donating blood and plasma is directly helping to save lives every day. Be proud to be part of this vital chain of solidarity.
Why Blood Donation is Crucial
Every single day in France, a staggering 10,000 blood donations are collected. These donations are crucial for patients battling long-term illnesses like leukemia, cancer, and sickle cell anemia. Beyond these ongoing needs, blood is essential in emergency situations, such as road accidents and difficult childbirths, as well as during surgical interventions. The need for blood is constant.
EFS and ADSB: Partners in a Life-Saving Mission
The French Blood Establishment (EFS) and the Associations for Volunteer Blood Donation (ADSB) work tirelessly to ensure a constant supply of blood. The ADSB passionately supports the EFS’s public health mission. They are dedicated to promoting blood donation by actively participating in and organizing blood drives.
Upcoming Blood Drive: Mark Your Calendars!
Next collection at ERDEVEN: Le Roëlan cultural space
Monday December 16, 2024
Making a difference is easier than you might think. Donating blood takes only a small amount of your time. Appointments are essential for all donation locations.
You can easily schedule yours, even at the last minute, on dondesang.efs.sante.fr or through the Blood Donation app.
Who Can Donate Blood?
To be eligible to donate, you need to be between 18 and 70 years old and weigh at least 50 kg. Remember to bring proof of identity.
Thank you for your support.
What are some reasons why having a steady supply of donated blood is crucial?
## Giving Blood: A Conversation with a Red Cross Representative
**Interviewer:** We’re here today to talk about the critical need for blood donations and a recent change in eligibility guidelines. Joining us is [Guest Name, Title, Red Cross]. Welcome!
**Guest:** Thanks for having me! It’s great to be here to talk about this important topic.
**Interviewer:** Absolutely! So, let’s dive in. As we know, blood donations are vital for so many people. Can you explain why it’s so crucial to have a steady supply?
**Guest:** Absolutely. Every day, thousands of people rely on blood transfusions for a variety of reasons. As you mentioned, people battling long-term illnesses like leukemia often need regular transfusions. Blood is also essential for trauma victims, surgery patients, and new mothers, just to name a few. Without a sufficient blood supply, lives are at risk. [[1](https://www.redcrossblood.org/local-homepage/news/article/why-there-are-travel-related-restrictions-for-donating-blood-.html)]
**Interviewer:** Absolutely crucial. Now, there’s been some exciting news about blood donor eligibility recently. Can you tell us about the changes relating to travel restrictions?
**Guest:** Yes, we’re thrilled to announce that the FDA recently updated its guidelines on variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD), commonly known as mad cow disease. Previously, individuals who spent time in the UK, Ireland, or France were deferred from donating blood for life. Thankfully, these restrictions have been lifted, and those who lived in these countries and have never tried to donate may now be eligible to save lives with us beginning Oct. 3.
**Interviewer:** That’s fantastic news! It potentially opens up a whole new pool of donors. How can people find out if they’re eligible to donate and locate a blood drive nearby?
**Guest:** The best place to start is by visiting our website at [Red Cross website address]. There, you can find detailed information about eligibility requirements, frequently asked questions, and a blood drive locator tool to find a convenient location near you.
**Interviewer:** Wonderful! We hope this conversation encourages more people to consider donating blood. Thank you for your time and for all you do at the Red Cross!
**Guest**: Thank you for having me! Remember, every drop counts.
