In 2018, 13,697 people were registered as donors of blood, plasma or platelets, with 1,178 of them donating for the first time. In total, teams from the Blood Transfusion Centre of the Red Cross collected 22,486 packs.
At the CHL alone, 12,000 packs of blood are required each year for patients in operations, accidents or oncology care. In 2018, 1,600 patients benefited from blood donations.
Some blood components, such as platelets, have a shelf life of just a few days, which explains the need to ensure a regular rhythm of collection in order to cover the country's needs.
During the winter season in particular, colds and the flu can prevent people from responding to the appeal for new donors.
The criteria for giving blood are fairly wide: you must be between 18 and 60 years old, weigh at least 50 kilos and be in good health. Men can give their blood four times a year, women three times. The levy is fast: between the arrival at the CTS and the end of the donation, the average duration took around 34 minutes in 2018.
The AB blood group is the rarest, while O negative is most commonly used in emergencies. This is why donors of blood groups A and O are the most sought after.
In addition to donating blood, plasma donation is also needed to help people with coagulation problems.
CTS staff are available to answer all questions from donors and future donors.
