A Marseille Resident’s Nationwide Donation Odyssey
Soufyane Guesmia is turning the national map of France into a personal mission. The 37-year-old Marseille resident has visited 35 different Établissement français du sang (EFS) collection sites, completing 244 donations as of June 26. His goal is to donate his blood and his plasma in all of the Établissements français du sang in France.
Pandemic Origins and Sporting Travels
The habit took root during the COVID-19 pandemic. While living in the Île-de-France region, Guesmia used the EFS network as a way to navigate restrictions. “I had a usual site for donation, but I used the pretext of going to other EFS sites to be able to move,” Guesmia stated.
What began as a lockdown workaround has evolved into a disciplined routine. He now targets a schedule of blood donations every two months and plasma every two weeks. These trips are often woven into his personal travel plans, which frequently center on attending football or basketball matches.
Meeting the Daily Demand for Life-Saving Supplies
The math behind the mission is stark. The EFS reports that 10,000 donors are required daily to support one million patients annually.
Virginie Pasquetti, president of the Sarthe-based association Cenoman, credits Guesmia with bringing visibility to these figures. “He could have decided to do 10,000 steps a day or something else. But he decided to give his blood, his plasma, and his platelets to save lives,” Pasquetti noted. Her organization hosted Guesmia in Le Mans in June.
Challenging the Definition of a ‘Donor’
Guesmia knows his pace is unusual, but he rejects the idea that high-frequency donation is the only way to help. “My friends tell me that I am a bit crazy, but I try to convince the people around me,” Guesmia said. “I may be a bit at the extreme, but making two or three donations a year is already a lot.”
Locating Your Nearest Collection Site
The EFS relies on a steady stream of volunteers to stabilize national supply levels. Potential donors can find their nearest center via the official EFS website.
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