ALWAYS less young and older. The ‘portfolio’ of blood donors reflects the demographic trend of Italy. In addition to a general decline in the number of donors of 3.4% in 2020, the average age of those who donate blood also continues to rise. On the other hand, the number of women who make this gesture of solidarity is decreasing. The panorama of blood donations in Italy traced through the data of the National Blood Center was presented today to the Ministry of Health together with the initiatives for the WHO global event of the World Blood Donor Day, which this year will be held in Italy on 14 and 15 June.
New donors also drop by 2%, while donors in apheresis, i.e. those who donate plasma or individual blood components, increase, which in 2020 were 217638 (+ 7.5%). Donations totaled almost 2.9 million, of which 2.5 million in whole blood and the rest in apheresis. Each donor on average makes 1.8 donations per year. Transfusion patients are also decreasing, 638 thousand against 603 thousand, and total transfusions were 2.8 million against 2.9 million in 2019. The system has, however, made it possible to guarantee over 5 transfusions per minute to patients. “I think that the donation of blood is an extraordinary act, which allows this machine of the health service to work every day, to live up to it – said the Minister of Health. Roberto Speranza in a video message -. Italy tries to invest with all its energy, but we increasingly need people who do their part, women and men who decide to dedicate a piece of their time, and to give a little of their blood to a cause that it is a just and important cause “.
A solidarity legacy to give hope to those who fight against blood diseases
The question of age and gender
Among the most worrying problems is the increase in the average age of donors, with a decline in those between 18 and 25 years old, dropped below 200 thousand, and of those in the upper ranges up to 45 years, while those above this age increased. “The system is? managed, despite the pandemic emergency, to maintain self-sufficiency with regard to red blood cells – comments Vincenzo De Angelis, director of the Cns -. But do the numbers tell us? that the aging of the population is also affecting donors, and it is necessary to reverse the trend to continue to guarantee transfusions, which, let us remember, are an essential level of assistance for the NHS ”. The figure relating to women also stands out: “Only 33% of our donors are women”, continues De Angelis. “This is an Italian anomaly compared to other European countries. For example, in Spain they are 51% so we need to understand how to reach this important slice of potential donors especially because women are ideal for donating plasma ”.
To underline the role of young people was also the Director General of the WHO Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus who on the eve of the day said: “I am happy to see that young people are the focus of this year’s World Blood Donor Day. Young people have suffered immensely during this pandemic, but have shown incredible resilience and the ability to adapt. Many blood donors in the world are young – added Tedros – and it is time to recognize their incredible contribution to the health of their communities. By donating blood they save lives. So a big thank you to all young blood donors of today and tomorrow. “.
Thalassemia, the army in the field to donate blood
by Tiziana Moriconi
The event in Italy
After the postponement of the 2020 edition due to Covid, on 14 and 15 June Italy will host the global event of World Blood Donor Day in Rome, the world day dedicated to blood donors established by the World Health Organization which this year will have as its slogan ‘Give blood and keep the world beating’. Many (virtual) initiatives put in place by the Ministry of Health through the National Blood Center and by donor associations and federations. “On June 14 the virtual donor village will be inaugurated – explains Paolo Monlievo, coordinator of Civis – where, thanks to the virtual stands of donor and patient associations and institutions, information on the world of voluntary and unpaid donation and on impact it has on the lives of many patients ”. Also on the 14th there will be the institutional event with the presence, among others, of the Minister of Health and the WHO Secretary General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, as well as messages from the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella and His Holiness Pope Francis.
Testimonials to talk to young people
Among the protagonists ‘hired’ to involve young people as much as possible on the importance of blood donation are the Franco-Indonesian singer-songwriter Anggun, Ron and the singer and influencer Cecilia Cantarano who will perform on the stage of the Auditorium in Rome to remind us that a simple gift is enough to ensure that the heart of the world continues to mark its rhythm. “In the last year and a half the world has changed rapidly – declared Paolo Monlievo, coordinator pro-tempore Civis (the acronym that brings together the main Italian donor associations: Avis, Fida, Fratrers, Croce Rossa) – from many points of view but the Civis associations have continued their commitment with more strength, throwing the heart over the obstacle, stimulating and encouraging the donation of blood and plasma. World Day is, therefore, an opportunity to thank donors, volunteers and associates, for their anonymous and free willingness to contribute with a gesture of love to guarantee the health of all citizens ”.
Le fake news
Among the causes of the decrease in donations, especially among young people, there are also many false beliefs or even hoaxes. Starting from the idea that huge needles are used and large quantities of blood are taken: “Nothing could be more wrong – clarifies the director of the Cns. – Donation is a simple, quick and painless gesture that is carried out safely. Other false myths are linked to the requirements to be able to donate: undergoing piercings or tattoos is not an exclusion criterion, but four months must pass. Sexual orientation is also not an exclusion criterion from donating blood or blood components. Finally, the day of donation it is not necessary to fast “. What about vegetarians and vegans? “The commonplace has it that those who give up meat and fish (vegetarians) and any animal-derived product (vegans) are carriers of some form of anemia and therefore not suitable for donating blood,” continues De Angelis. “Nothing could be more wrong. At most blood and plasma donors who follow a vegan or vegetarian diet will have to be more careful than others to maintain a balanced diet, especially to restore levels of ferro after donation or to avoid vitamin deficiencies, especially in the case of vegans B12 which in nature tends to be found almost exclusively in substances of animal origin “.
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