Giant Heart Appears on Pic du Don, Signaling Blood and Bone Marrow Donation Drive
A large heart-shaped installation has appeared on the slopes of Pic du Don in Millau, France, as part of a campaign to encourage blood, bone marrow, and organ donation. The initiative, spearheaded by the Millau Blood Donor Association and supported by the Millau Trail School, aims to raise awareness and inspire participation in upcoming donation events.
Creating a Symbol of Solidarity
On Monday, March 23, 2026, volunteers worked to create the heart using white rollers on the south face of Pic d’Andan, making it visible from the city of Millau. The process involves a team of around ten people navigating a steep and uneven terrain to position the rollers correctly. According to Raymond Cassan, president of the Millau Blood Donors Association, the organization has refined its technique over ten years, initially relying on guidance from someone observing from below to ensure proper alignment.Millavois Now, the contours of the heart are traced with tape the day before, simplifying the installation process.
Safety is paramount during the installation. Volunteers descend the slope simultaneously to prevent stones from being dislodged and potentially injuring those working below.Millavois Approximately 300 meters of rollers were used, and the installation took just over an hour to complete. The heart will remain visible for approximately two weeks.
Upcoming Donation Events
The Pic du Don installation coincides with a blood collection campaign scheduled for April 13-16, 2026, at the Salle de la Menuiserie in Millau.Millavois The campaign also aims to increase awareness about bone marrow and organ donation.
Trail and Walk Events
On Sunday, April 6, 2025, a trail run and walk will take place on Pic du Don. The trail run is 10 km long with 530m of elevation gain and will begin at 10:00 am.HappeningNext The walk, a convivial and family-friendly event, will begin in the early afternoon.Millavois The event, renamed “Pic du Don” to promote bone marrow donation, is free and open to all.Millavois
A portion of the proceeds from the event will be donated to the Millau Fire Department and the Association.Millavois
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