French influencers call on followers to break blood donation record

Two social media influencers have joined forces with France's national blood bank to call for a record number of donors in Paris this weekend.

Two social media influencers are aiming to help draw in a record number of blood donors in Paris this weekend.

French X (formerly Twitter) phenomenon Arkunir and streamer Farès Bichard have called on their followers to set a new "European record of blood donation".

Posts from both in mid-November boosted registrations for a blood donation event being held in Paris from Thursday, 28 November until Sunday, 1 December.

Of 4,100 appointments originally available there were just 350 left the day before the drive began, with 30 percent of those who had signed up younger than 30 years old.

The duo of influencers, who will host a Twitch special on Saturday at 2pm, spontaneously contacted the French national blood bank, EFS, its director Guillaume du Chaffaut told the French AFP news agency.

"Influencers are a good push to help us, along with our usual communication campaigns, to try to reach this younger, more connected, more mobile community," he said.

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Since their involvement, EFS has seen a 20 percent jump in donors in September and October across France.

(with AFP)


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