There's room for improvement for blood donations: The French Blood Establishment (EFS) called on Wednesday for increased mobilization as the summer holidays approach, but also over the long term in the face of various challenges, such as the need for plasma. Fewer than 41% of French people of donor age, between 18 and 70, give blood at least once a year. "we can do better", said EFS President Frédéric Pacoud at a press conference ahead of World Blood Donor Day on June 14. Donors are already being urged to get involved before the summer period, "always a bit tricky, because a large majority of the population goes on vacation in the summer but the disease doesn't take a break.", stressed Hervé Meinrad, director of collection and production. The objective is to increase stocks to 100,000-110,000 blood bags before the summer to maintain the necessary level, he specified.
Increase the number of plasma donors by 200,000: "a small mountain to climb"
The EFS organizes various collections in June, particularly in sports and cultural venues, such as the Parc des Princes or the Palace of Versailles, but also throughout the summer in holiday resorts. Beyond that, the French Blood Establishment, created after the contaminated blood crisis and "emerged from difficulties thanks to state support" of recent years (Covid, finances), must "meet several challenges", according to its president. Faced with the growing need for this blood product and the desire to reduce dependence in the United States on this matter, one of the objectives is to"Increasing the number of plasma donors by 200,000 is a small mountain to climb.", he slipped.
“Participating in the common good”
Nearly 161,000 people donated their plasma in 2024 (+14% over one year), knowing that a majority of plasma donations come from a whole blood donation, which makes it possible to obtain red blood cells, platelets and plasma. “We take whole blood, a machine separates the plasma from the rest and we are reinjected with the unretained fraction.”, either “one hour every two or three months” including rest and snacks, said Pierre Gos, blood donor "for almost 45 years" For "participate in the common good".
The EFS is also seeking to attract more young people, who are donating less than before (-57,000 donations among 18-25 year-olds between 2020 and 2024) and their elders. New criteria, which will apply at the beginning of September, will allow people to donate blood two months after getting a tattoo or piercing, instead of four months previously, thanks to improved hepatitis C virus screening techniques.
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