Français
For several years now, blood donation operations have been at a standstill in Saint-Barthélemy. Mainly for logistical reasons. This is why the Établissement Français du Sang (EFS) and Lions Club International are organizing a blood drive on Friday December 6 and Saturday December 7.
For this operation, which will be held at the harbor master's office in Gustavia, the EFS has set itself the target of collecting 200 blood bags. "The inhabitants of Saint-Barth and anyone visiting the area are invited to mobilize en masse to donate blood during these 2 days", writes the EFS. Donations are more than essential, as they enable us to treat patients for whom blood transfusion is the only treatment option. These include people suffering from sickle-cell anemia, patients undergoing cancer treatment or victims of hemorrhage. Or mothers who suffer haemorrhage during childbirth. "This blood drive is crucial because it will enable us to prepare treatments for patients throughout the Guadeloupe archipelago, as well as in French Guiana," insists the Établissement français du sang. "A real surge of solidarity is needed for this blood drive, which has been specially prepared for Saint-Barth," explains Coralie Clavier, EFS communications officer.
It's important to remember that blood products have a limited shelf life: seven days for platelet donations and 42 days for blood donations.
On Friday, the blood drive will run from 12:30 to 17:30. Saturday, from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Contraindications
For the record, the main contraindications to donating blood are listed by EFS on its website. You will not be able to donate blood in the following cases. If you have had an infection or fever (over 38°) in the last two weeks. If your tattoo or piercing was done less than 4 months ago (Note: this contraindication also applies to earrings). If you have had sexual relations with different partners in the last 4 months. If you've had dental treatment or surgery, as there's a risk of bacteria passing into the bloodstream (Note: in this case, the delay varies from 24 hours after treatment of a cavity or scaling to 7 days for a tooth extraction or root canal). Finally, if you've traveled in the last year. Depending on the country and region you've visited, you may not be able to give blood immediately. For example, if you have recently visited French Guiana (less than 28 days before donating blood), you may not be able to take part in the blood drive.
