World Blood Donor Day: an exceptional collection at the Musée de la Romanité in Nîmes

En face des arènes, une collation gourmande est préparée par des bénévoles pour les donneurs Midi Libre – Axel Dumond

This Friday, June 14, the Musée de la Romanité is hosting an event blood drive for the second time. Donors receive a gourmet snack and a free tour of the museum.

This Friday, June 14, feather flags, banners and brass bands attract passers-by in front of the Musée de la Romanité. From 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., for World Blood Donor Day, a blood drive is organized on the top floor of the museum. Midi Libre participated in this second event collection after 2023.

At the entrance to the museum, employees of the EFS (French Blood Establishment), volunteers and signs guide donors. Upstairs, despite the rainy weather at the start of the afternoon, there are many volunteers waiting.

The Hérault Banzaï brass band entertains the afternoon in front of the Musée de la Romanité. Free Midi – Axel Dumond

"The least of things"

The welcome is friendly. You must first complete a questionnaire to ensure you can donate. Then, the identity is verified or created for those who have never donated. These are taken from a drop of blood on the finger . Finally, the questionnaire is validated by EFS professionals before being donated.

In the room, people of all ages, from students to retirees to employees. "Friday afternoon I don't work, this is the opportunity." For Marie-Hervé Collignon, give on World Day, "it’the least we can do".

The sample lasts around ten minutes. The atmosphere is warm, with the nurses putting the donors at ease. After the donation, a gourmet snack is offered on the terrace.

Free cultural tour

Members of the FFDSB (French Federation for Volunteer Blood Donation) serve food and drinks. Fougasse or apple pie are to be enjoyed. With a view of the arenas. "Magnificent, eh ?", exclaims a nurse  nbsp;of the EFS.

Sekkan Neuman and Fanny Maille arrived there "while walking".&nbsp ;"That wasn't the plan." The couple took advantage of the fact that the collection was without an appointment -you.

Donors don't just leave with a nice bandage. They are offered a ticket to visit the Musée de la Romanité. Unlike last year, when it was only usable during the day, this one is valid until June 30.

In Nîmes, you can donate to the Maison du don at the University Hospital, open at least four days a week. At Novotel Atria, a mobile collection takes place every first Monday of the month. On the Esplanade, a collection truck comes regularly. To donate blood, you must be between 18 and 70 years old and weigh more than 50 kg.