Blood donation in France

[Brian]

Back in the UK, I was a regular blood donor.
Now I am in France for much of the time, I wondered if anyone knew what would happen if I just turned up to a 'don du sang' session and offered my arm. Or whichever part they prefer to extract blood from in France.

Is it possible to be a blood donor here if you are not in possession of a carte vitale? I know I could just turn up to a session and ask but (a) I thought someone here may have an answer and (b) I don't want to waste their time if the answer will be 'non'.
Brian

[Fred]

Hello Brian I have no personal experience as I can't give blood due to the medication I use, but thought it would be a good idea to look into it as I had heard we can not give blood due to Mad Cow.

I found this website: https://www.dondusang.net

Quote:

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J'ai vécu en Grande-Bretagne il y a une dizaine d'années, puis-je donner ?

En cas de séjour en Grande-Bretagne de plus de 12 mois cumulés entre 1980 et 1996, le don du sang est proscrit. Il existe en effet un risque théorique de transmission de l'encéphalopathie spongiforme bovine ou "maladie de la vache folle". Il s’agit d’une application du principe de précaution.

It basically says "If you have lived in The UK for more than 12 months accumulated between 1980 and 1996, blood donation is prohibited.

They do have a FAQ page on the website that may have more answers and hopefully another member will know more, but I would say either ask at you local Mayor, GP, or Pharmacy. I can understand you not wanting to waste their time at the don du sang sessions, but I would have thought they wouldn't mind one bit on you going to one and asking them directly.

If you do find any more information or any other members have something to add please put it here as it will help others.

[Brian]

Hi Fred,
Thanks for the research and the reply. A shame about the Mad Cow bit. Having been vegetarian since 1970 I'd assume my chances of being un boeuf fou were zero, but I know better than to argue with French paperwork. Asking in the pharmacy is a good idea, although in Adriers it invariably leads to a half hour chat about philosophy. With coffee if you're lucky!

[Fred]

Hi Fred,
Thanks for the research and the reply. A shame about the Mad Cow bit. Having been vegetarian since 1970 I'd assume my chances of being un boeuf fou were zero, but I know better than to argue with French paperwork. Asking in the pharmacy is a good idea, although in Adriers it invariably leads to a half hour chat about philosophy. With coffee if you're lucky!

Yes it's a shame especially for someone who has been vegetarian, I bet there are a lot of Brit's in the same boat that would like to give. You would have thought it can't be that difficult to test those who want to give, but like you say it's down on paper so that's it.

[Admiral]

Sad but true.

An English couple we know happily turned up at a Don du Sang in Montmorillon a few months ago only to be turned away - because they're English and therefore obviously mad.

Regulations in France is regulations.  If it's written down end of....

I'm not sure how you would go about proving that you've been vegetarian since the year dot and therefore not mad.  I can't see that argument working here because the mad cow ruling regarding the English is in the rule book.  

[Brian]

I'm not sure how you would go about proving that you've been vegetarian since the year dot and therefore not mad.  I can't see that argument working here because the mad cow ruling regarding the English is in the rule book.  

Come to think of it, being vegetarian would be probably regarded by the French as proof of insanity.
I'm in a bit of a Catch22...

[Fred]

Come to think of it, being vegetarian would be probably regarded by the French as proof of insanity.

You would think they would be glad to get blood from anyone. They obviously test for other problems before taking your blood so why not just test you to see if you are clear. I have regular blood checks and get my results the next day so it's not rocket science to them.

Oh well it's their loss Brian.