Soon the European record for blood donation? This is the challenge launched to the French by the influencers Arkunir and Farès Bichard, who are organizing a donation marathon with the French Blood Establishment (EFS) starting this Thursday, November 28. For four days, 4,000 donors gather in the opulent premises of the Paris City Hall.
Among them, the SAI especially hopes to see young people, some of whom will be donating for the first time, as Syria Laperche, medical director of the SAI, explains to BFMTV.com. Do you want to participate? Here are some tips before you contribute.
• Check that nothing prevents you from donating
Before going to a blood collection center, remember to check if you can donate blood: in fact, there are a series of “ineligibility criteria” that prevent you from donating temporarily or permanently, reminds Syria Laperche. They serve both to “protect the donation candidate” and to “prevent the recipient from contracting diseases that the donor could carry.”
The main thing is “to have good health, which means many things,” acknowledges the specialist. Among the most common contraindications you cannot give if:
- you carry certain viruses, particularly HIV or hepatitis;
- suffer from long-term illnesses, such as diabetes or serious heart problems;
- have recently traveled to certain countries in Africa or Asia: a list updated in real time available to the doctor conducting the interview;
- have recently traveled to certain French departments affected by arbovirus epidemics (locovirus, chikungunya, etc.);
- you weigh less than 50 kg;
- is under 18 years of age or over 70 years of age;
- are iron deficient, as may be the case with some people who eat little or no meat;
- He has had several partners in the last four months.
On this last point, the legislation on donations from LGBT+ people has been modified in recent years. Since March 2022, men who have sex with men can donate following the same rules as heterosexuals.
All of these conditions can (and should) be examined in an online questionnaire to avoid being rejected on the spot. “If it is a woman who weighs 45 kilos, a message will immediately appear that says ‘you cannot donate blood’,” explains Syria Laperche.
• Don’t think too much about which arm the sample is going to be taken.
Should you favor the arm you don’t write with? Or take into account your preferred sleeping position? In truth, the choice does not always depend on you, but on the appearance of your arms. In fact, the nurse will tend to favor an injection where the veins are more visible, to avoid a more dangerous and, therefore, potentially painful practice.
“If we are right-handed we may prefer the left arm, but it is also the ‘availability’ of the vein that will be examined by the nurse,” indicates the EFS member.
Syria Laperche also asks not to ask too many questions, since the injection does not leave a very painful area. “It’s a bit like drawing blood, you can feel a little discomfort” where the needle enters, he summarizes.
• Hydrate yourself as much as possible, think carefully when eating
Once the checks have been carried out and the donor is eligible, the crucial step of donation remains. Volunteers can ensure that times are less unpleasant with a few simple tips.
For those who feel more comfortable, those who are most concerned about the idea of the injection – apart from not looking at the needle – it is worth remembering to drink enough water before arriving. The fuller the veins are with blood, the easier it will be to sting and, therefore, avoid possible discomfort. This also applies to the smooth passage of blood during donation.
“Hydration is really very important, it allows us to adequately replace the total volume of water lost during sampling,” emphasizes Syria Laperche, who assures that we feel “better after” having hydrated well. Drinks are available to donors during their stay at the collection site.
Likewise, it is essential to dedicate at least 20 minutes to eating during the post-donation snack, where the SAI offers refreshments. On its website, the organization recommends favoring a diet rich in iron in the weeks following the donation: offal, meat, seafood, but also nuts, legumes, vegetables or… dark chocolate.
• Move, but in moderation
Another recommendation is to follow the (small) mobility exercises recommended by nurses, such as moving your feet slightly in a circle to promote blood circulation. They help avoid discomfort.
Sudden movements after donation should also be avoided. There is no point in wanting to jump out of your chair after donating, at the risk of seeing stars. It may be helpful to go through the sitting position first.
Please note: “Although blood volume is replenished quickly after a sample,” it is strongly recommended not to engage in strenuous physical activity in the moments and hours following the sample.
• Don’t hesitate to express your concern
This is even the essential point of the donation according to Syria Laperche. “To feel good you have to have confidence. The more confidence you have, the safer you feel when donating,” says the EFS representative who asks not to “hesitate in expressing your concern.” So many little tips that could prevent a wave of unrest in Paris in the coming days.
Source: BFM TV
