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One bag, 3 lives: how is the blood you donate really used ?
A single blood donation – a vital act of solidarity – can help three different people. In 2024, more than 2,348 bags of blood were collected in the Principality, however at least 4,000 are required to meet all of the transfusion needs of patients treated in Monaco. On 14 June each year, World Blood Donor Day offers an opportunity to promote this invaluable act. Read on to find out more.
The average volume of blood collected from each donor is around 400 to 500 ml. In the Principality of Monaco, it’s collected at Donation House, located within Princess Grace Hospital (CHPG). Inside this new blood transfusion centre, officially opened on 23 April 2025 in the presence of Prince Albert II, a sense of calm and peace prevails. The space provides “optimum collection conditions”, says Dr Mélanie Rinaudo-Gaujous, who has led CHPG’s blood transfusion centre since 2022. This encourages more donations, which have increased from 1,500 to 2,348 since 2020. However, these numbers still fall far short of the 4,000–5,000 bags required to meet the transfusion needs of the three partner hospitals that use this blood for their patients: Princess Grace Hospital, the Monaco Institute of Sports Medicine and Surgery (IM2S) and the Monaco Cardiothoracic Centre. “We are the only location in Monaco that collects blood, then prepares it and delivers it to patients,” Dr Rinaudo-Gaujous notes. To make up the shortfall, a partnership agreement was reached with the French national blood service (EFS), which supplies the additional bags that are needed. “It is important to note, however, that the EFS is also facing difficulties in recruiting donors. So, despite everything, it’s still a fragile system,” the doctor adds.
Blood products have limited shelf life
Demand remains constant, especially in summer, during the Christmas holidays and over the long weekends in May, when potential donors are sometimes not around. “We need all blood groups since patients, by definition, can have any blood type.” The greatest need, though, is for the rarer rhesus negative types: O negative (O-), A negative (A-) and B negative (B-), which account for around 20% of the population. Pressure is increased by the fact that blood products have a limited shelf life. “This is a living product containing living cells. We cannot stockpile it,” says the doctor. Red blood cells can be stored chilled for 42 days, but platelets last just seven days. Plasma, which is primarily made up of proteins, can be frozen and kept for up to three years. “We can turn one donation into three products, and potentially treat three patients,” Dr Rinaudo-Gaujous highlights. While the donation itself takes only ten minutes or so, donors should plan to spend around one hour on site to complete all of the mandatory stages. It’s an hour of your time – but has a significant impact for many patients. “The majority of transfusions are carried out on patients who are undergoing treatment for cancer. Chemotherapy is so strong that it causes a reduction in blood cells. Patients will sometimes require a transfusion to support their treatment,” the doctor explains. Donated blood is also used to treat patients experiencing haemorrhaging (as a result of an accident, surgery or childbirth) or who have a genetic disease. In all cases, all donations collected in Monaco remain in Monaco.
Donation requirements and contraindications
The dedication of the medical team at Donation House is absolute. The team comprises four nurses, three doctors, a promotional officer and a secretary, not to mention the eight technicians who work shifts to provide 24/7 coverage in the laboratory. To be able to give blood, you will need fulfil a few conditions: you must be aged between 18 and 65 years old, weigh a minimum of 50 kg, be in good health, have no history of travel to certain risk areas and be able to communicate in basic French. In addition, anyone who has ever received a blood transfusion is not eligible. In 2024, just 5.9% of prospective donors were turned away. “That means that there’s still a 94.1% chance of being able to donate,” says Dr Mélanie Rinaudo-Gaujous with a smile. Additionally, for each donation, a sample is routinely sent to the French national blood service’s laboratories in Montpellier for analysis. The aim is to ensure the safety of transfusions.. This is also the goal of nurses at Donation House, who seek to make donation as relaxed as possible. “Donation House offers a friendly environment, where we can offer services that better meet the expectations of donors today. This includes improved refreshments before and after giving blood, with fresh fruit juices, herbal teas and salads available,” explains the doctor. Aromatherapy and herbal remedies are also on offer to help calm the most anxious donors.
“Blood Mobile” making it easier to donate
Since 2022, a “Blood Mobile” has wound its way through the streets of the Principality to transport donors from their homes or places of work to the blood transfusion centre. A chauffeur will come and pick donors up for free, and then take them back after they have given blood. This strategy has led 80 Monegasque businesses to establish a partnership with the blood transfusion centre, allowing their staff time off work to donate blood. The idea behind the return journeys offered by the Blood Mobile between the company’s premises and Donation House is to reduce the amount of time spent on site. “These blood donations are vital, but we also have to ensure that they don’t penalise the companies who sign up to these partnerships,” says Dr Rinaudo-Gaujous. “We have donors who come every two or three months,” she adds proudly. Eligible male donors can make up to six donations a year, while women can make up to four donations a year. The Association of Blood Donors in Monaco shows its gratitude to these regular donors with two events every year: in June to mark World Blood Donor Day, and in November, when medals are presented by Prince Albert II. From arm to heart: the journey of a blood donation is ultimately that of a quiet hero.
Practical information: Donation days are: Monday and Wednesday, 10 am to 3 pm Tuesday and Thursday, 8 am to 2 pm To give blood or book the Blood Mobile, you must make an appointment.
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