Toulouse (AFP)

"We are facing a surge of generosity from our donors": in Toulouse, doctor Mohamed EL Rakaawi is surprised, in the second week of confinement, "of the massive influx" of blood donors in his establishment.

Despite the "closure of numerous collections in schools and faculties", this doctor responsible for collection at the French Blood Establishment (EFS) in Occitania, is delighted to be able to "maintain normal activity".

At first, however, the EFS Purpan feared a fall in donations, explains Priscilla Agostini, the communication officer of the establishment.

"There was a small period of uncertainty where the donors were not sure that they could leave their homes, or that they could donate safely," said the young woman.

The situation completely reversed in the middle of last week after national calls from the EFS. While there are on average "fifty or so donors a day at Purpan, there were up to 150 on weekends," reports Ms. Agostini.

"I heard the call to donate blood," echoes Ombeline Faillat, an 18-year-old student, who had already donated blood "once".

Guillaume Tréhot, a 24-year-old professional soldier, who came with his partner, is a regular donor.

The two young men, who have made an appointment by phone, listen attentively to the health instructions given at the entrance to the building by a Rotary volunteer.

- "Civic action" -

Epidemic or not "I will have come anyway," said the soldier. "I think that with all these measures, barrier gestures, you can donate blood without putting yourself in danger."

"We are inundated with calls (on the telephone platform of the EFS, Editor's note)," says Dr EL Rakaawi, adding that he recommends "making an appointment to be able to manage the crowds".

"People ask us, how to come? What formalities to complete," adds Priscilla Agostini. She stresses that this wave of volunteers is made up of "regular donors but also new donors, or people who had not made a donation for several months or even several years". A third are young people under the age of 30.

"I consider that it is a civic action", launches with a broad smile, Victor Collin, connected by a catheter to the machine which takes the sample.

At 22, this long-distance conveyor and passionate about motorcycles knows that he may "one day" need a transfusion.

He gives him plasma, the liquid component of blood, an operation which can take up to three quarters of an hour.

"Life does not end with the coronavirus" says Ollivier Tronche, a 57-year-old computer scientist, donor for several decades.

"Our needs are constant, confirms Ms. Agostini, for all patients who suffer from chronic diseases, cancers, blood diseases, genetic diseases ... We must also face hemorrhagic emergencies, the young mother who gives birth, a accident victim, or for a surgical operation ".

"At the moment we have a comfortable stock," says Dr EL Rakaawi but "the needs are permanent", even if the epidemic has not made them jump.

The practitioner reports that Italy has used blood products "only in 7% of serious cases" of the coronavirus. But, he insists, the EFS will still need blood donations in the coming weeks.

© 2020 AFP