Hospital calls blood emergency

The Geneva University Hospital is critically short of blood and is calling on volunteers to donate.

The hospital says a series of complex surgeries and an increase in organ transplants has strained its reserves.

It also says it needs more regular donors to make up a shortfall – around 2,000 a year register, but it needs a further 250. 

While there are some restrictions on who can give blood, broadly anyone between the ages of 18 and 60 is eligible. 

Limits on homosexual men giving blood were lifted last November - but those who lived in the UK between 1985 and 1996 still can’t – due to the risk of mad-cow disease. 

There’s a donation drive this Friday at the hospital. Volunteers will get free entry to the Bains de Cressy and a smoothie.

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