Every year, CERN organises several blood donation drives but, because of the pandemic, they’ve been suspended.

France and Switzerland’s blood stocks are running low. There are still plenty of other opportunities to give blood in the Host States, even in the current circumstances. See below for blood donation venues near you.

Whatever your blood type, your donation is more important than ever! If your blood type is O negative, i.e. you’re a universal donor, or if your blood type is A, like around 40% of the population, your donation would be especially helpful.

Giving blood only takes an hour, including all the paperwork.

Because of the current pandemic, there are a few things you need to bear in mind before giving blood:

• You must be in good health and have no COVID-19 symptoms (fever, cough, cold, breathing difficulties);
• If you’re confirmed as having the coronavirus, you must wait one month after your symptoms have completely disappeared before giving blood;
• If you’ve been in close contact with someone who has the coronavirus, you must wait 14 days from the date of contact;
• If you’ve been vaccinated against COVID-19, you must wait 48 hours.

More generally, make sure that you’re eligible to give blood before going to the donation venue. Use the questionnaires at the links below to check your eligibility to give blood. You’ll then be asked the same questions in person when you go to donate:

• In Switzerland: https://www.hug.ch/don-du-sang/puis-je-donner-mon-sang-test-ligne
• In France: https://dondesang.efs. sante.fr/puis-je-donner  

Special arrangements are in place to ensure that the necessary protective measures are followed and to guarantee the safety of donors, volunteers and staff during the COVID 19 pandemic.

If, during the two weeks after your blood donation, you develop coronavirus symptoms, you should immediately inform the blood donation service.

If you have any questions, contact the CERN Medical Service: Medical.Service@cern.ch

Give blood, save lives.

Giving blood in Switzerland: Appointments can be made by telephone on +41 (0)22 372 39 01 or online: https://www.hug-ge.ch/don-du-sang/rendez-vous-ligne.

• HUG Blood Transfusion Centre
  Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 7.30 a.m.-3.00 p.m. Thursdays, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
  The first and third Saturday of each month, 8.30 a.m.-12 noon
  Rue Gabrielle-Perret-Gentil 6, 1205 Geneva
   
• Salle communale in Petit-Lancy
  Tuesday, 30 March 2021, 3.00-7.30 p.m.
  Avenue Louis Bertrand 7, 1213 Petit-Lancy
   
• Salle des fêtes in Jussy
  Wednesday, 28 April 2021, 3.00-8.00 p.m.
  Route de Jussy 312, 1254 Jussy
   
• Salle de Gym, Complexe Communal in Satigny
  Thursday, 6 May 2021, 3.00-7.30 p.m.
  Rampe de Choully 17, 1242 Satigny
   
• Salle des fêtes in Vernier
  Wednesday, 19 May 2021, 3.00-7.30 p.m.
  Route de Vernier 200, 1214 Vernier
   
• Salle communale in Bernex
  Wednesday, 9 June 2021, 1.30-8.00 p.m.
  Route d’Aire-la-ville 22, 1233 Bernex

If you have any other questions about blood donation in Switzerland, check out this website: https://www.hug-ge.ch/don-du-sang.

Giving blood in France: See below for the blood donation venues and dates. Mobile blood collection units also operate. You can find the various fixed and mobile venues and make an appointment at this link.

• Salle du Levant in Ferney-Voltaire
  Thursday, 8 April 2021, 2.30-7.30 p.m.
  Chemin de Collex, 01210 Ferney-Voltaire
   
• Espace Perdtemps in Gex
  Monday, 12 April 2021, 3.00-7.00 p.m.
  Reservation recommended: https://mon-rdv-dondesang.efs.sante.fr/
  Avenue Perdtemps, 01170 Gex
   
• Maison du don in Annemasse
  Mondays, 8.30 a.m.-1.30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 12.30-6.00 p.m.
  1 Route de Tanninges, 74100 Annemasse

If you have any other questions about blood donation in France, check out this website: https://dondesang.efs.sante.fr/.