There is no blood in Italy. The regions that are more “equipped” in harvesting are unable to compensate for the shortage due to the aftermath of the pandemic. And the summer exacerbates the problem. The Italian Red Cross appeals to everyone, “but in particular to young people”, for the donation. «In the summer the situation becomes more delicate. In particular, we ask young people to make an effort: the average age of donors is increasing and there is a shortage of donors between 18 and 30 years old ”explains Francesco Rocca, President of the Italian Red Cross, on the occasion of World Blood Donor Day on June 14th.
Donations slowed down
The National Blood Center records a slowdown in donations and the virtuous regions that covered the needs of other regions are also in trouble. «A trend to be reversed – he adds – because if we want to increase the amount of donations it is essential to attract young people with targeted awareness campaigns and to increase the culture of donation also through the communication channels most used by young people.
Uneven situation at national level
«Before leaving for the holidays – continues Paolo Monlievo, National Referent for Blood Donation and Organs of the CRI – go to the Red Cross centers and donate blood. The positive fact is that as regards the blood collections carried out by the CRI we have recorded an increase in the bags collected (+ 45% in 2021 compared to 2020), but we are far from covering the whole national territory in a homogeneous way “.
The contribution of the Italian Boxing Federation
The appeal was joined this year by the Italian Boxing Federation with the two FPI Ambassadors and Champions Alessia Mesiano (AOB Boxer, World Gold 2016 in the 57 Kg. And World Bronze 2022 in the 60 Kg.) And Emanuele Blandamura (PRO Boxer , International and European Middleweight Champion). Both athletes, in fact, have chosen to support the “Donate to you back” campaign.
The WHO appeal
“The need for blood is universal, but access to blood for those who need it is not,” highlights the World Health Organization. In fact, in the world, about 118.54 million blood donations are collected in a year but 40% are collected in high-income countries, where only 16% of the world population resides, while the blood shortage is acute in countries low and middle income. Blood and blood products, WHO recalls, are essential for effective management of women suffering from bleeding associated with pregnancy and childbirth, for children suffering from severe anemia due to malaria and malnutrition, for patients with blood and bone marrow, hereditary hemoglobin disorders and immunodeficiency conditions; for victims of trauma and accidents, as well as patients undergoing advanced medical and surgical procedures.