Blood drive starts in Marseille

A blood donation drive has started at the Vieux-Port in Marseille, organized by the French Blood Establishment (EFS) and local Rotary clubs. The event began on Monday, October 26, and will run through Friday, with donations accepted from 12:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. each day.

Tent setup at the Vieux-Port

A white tent has been set up at the Vieux-Port, facing the open sea. It is expected to host several hundred donors throughout the week and is designed to provide a comfortable environment for blood donation.

High participation on first day

According to the EFS, more than 60 people had already participated in the donation process after two hours of operation on the first day. The blood collection process takes approximately ten minutes and includes the collection of red blood cells, platelets, and plasma.

Blood use in regional hospitals

The collected blood components are used separately for patients at the 1,500 hospitals and clinics supplied by the EFS. The EFS estimates that approximately 1,000 donations per day are necessary to meet the hospital needs of the PACA-Corsica region.

Donor requirements and setup

Inside the tent, two islands with four gurneys each accommodate donors. To participate, donors must be adults, bring an identification document, and not come on an empty stomach. For eligibility conditions and potential contraindications, it is recommended to consult the EFS website.

Agreement renewal for cooperation

The City of Marseille must also renew its agreement with the Departmental Union for Volunteer Blood Donation of Bouches-du-Rhône (UD13) and the EFS on Tuesday, October 27, at 2 p.m., as part of their cooperation around blood donation.