From Wednesday to Saturday, the Nice TNL site opens its doors to allow people who wish to donate their blood, but not only, explains Patricia Blanquet, doctor at the center. “There are different types of donations. Besides blood donation, there is not only platelet donation but also plasma donation. This is for patients who are going to be operated on, victims of hemorrhages, cancers, anemias, accidents. We need donors. Everyone is concerned with this voluntary, anonymous, and free citizen gesture.”
A blood donation takes place in 4 stages. “First, there is the administrative registration. With all sorts of questions about your health condition. The legal age to donate blood is 18 years. You must not be over 65 years old. There are on average 100 donors per week. We also have mobile teams. They come to high schools and universities to collect blood.”
The second stage is the medical interview. “We go over everything with the patients to ensure they haven’t skipped adding anything to the questionnaire. The interview is confidential, therefore covered by medical secrecy.”
The collection lasts 30 minutes to 2 hours depending on the type of donation. “And then of course the snack,” always with a smile!
Regulars at the center
“I’ve been donating my blood for 20 years,” says Bruno Labardin, a performing arts professional. “I donate platelets every month. I have already donated blood and also plasma. I am also an organ donor, like for bone marrow. I think it’s important to donate blood. There is a worrying shortage in this area.”
Cynthia Roubin has been donating her blood for 2 years. This law student explains that awareness of this action begins as early as middle school. “They talk to us fairly early about the importance of making a donation. And then, since my brother had health issues, I thought that helping others by donating my blood could be beneficial and ultimately save lives.
