"The Tramp", a blood donation propagandist?

Transfus Clin Biol. 2016 Feb;23(1):55-7. doi: 10.1016/j.tracli.2015.12.005. Epub 2016 Jan 8.

Abstract

The French pioneer for blood transfusion, who eventually organized the very early blood transfusion centers worldwide, went to imagine a scenario written in purpose for Charlie Chaplin, the unique character of "The Tramp" ("Charlot" in French). The movie Star was offered to feature a blood donation propagandist, and no longer the perpetual, well-known, "loser". This anecdote, besides being amusing, tells a lot on how Arnault Tzank encompassed all the difficulties in collecting blood enough to meet the demand, at all times; his proposal turns out to be extremely modern and questions nowadays marketing for blood donation.

Keywords: Blood donation; Cinema; Cinéma; Don du sang; Marketing; Promotion; Transfusion.

Publication types

  • Biography
  • Historical Article

MeSH terms

  • Altruism
  • Blood Donors / history*
  • Blood Donors / psychology
  • France
  • History, 20th Century
  • Humans
  • Motion Pictures / history*
  • Propaganda*
  • Societies, Medical
  • Transfusion Medicine / history*

Personal name as subject

  • Arnault Tzank
  • Charles Spencer Chaplin