World blood donor day, a meeting on anemia at Gemelli Molise

Everything is ready for World Donor Day which is celebrated on 14 and 15 June. The slogan chosen by the WHO is “Give blood and keep the world beating”: a way to pay homage to donors who, with their ethical, voluntary and unpaid choice, periodically contribute to saving lives. In Italy, in 2020 – according to data from the National Blood Center (Cns) – blood donors decreased compared to 2019, but the system resists the impact of Covid-19 and those who choose to donate plasma increase. Gemelli Molise, in collaboration with numerous partners and the most representative associations of the territory, celebrates the event with the webinar ‘Together for Solidarity’, the eighth and last appointment of the ‘Together in Health 2020/21’ path. The event – a note details – will also offer an opportunity to explore the theme: “Discovering anemia, the causes and possible treatments” and will be broadcast live on the Gemelli Molise website, the hospital’s Facebook page and all partner subjects on Tuesday 15 June, at 4.30 pm. Pallor, weakness and constant fatigue, poor appetite, but also lack of concentration, reduced ability to make physical efforts – explains the note – can be some of the most common symptoms in those suffering from anemia. When are you anemic? What are the causes and effects of anemia on daily life? What pathologies can be linked to anemia? What are the possible solutions? These questions will be answered directly by the Gemelli Molise experts and by the representatives of the world of volunteering. The following will participate in the round table: Celeste Condorelli, Managing Director of Gemelli Molise; Andrea Bacigalupo, Scientific Advisor of Gemelli Molise; Simona Sica, director of Uoc Hematology and Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation – Agostino Gemelli Ircss University Polyclinic Foundation in Rome and Vincenzo Fraticelli, Head of Onco-Hematology Gemelli Molise UOSD. Lino Spagnuolo, medical director of Avis Molise, for the Bone Marrow Donors Association will speak on behalf of the Regional Avis; Eugenio Astore, president of Admo Molise; for the Italian Association against leukemia – lymphomas and myelomas Francesca Marziani, Vice President of Ail Molise. The meeting will be moderated by Valentina Ciarlante, Csv Molise Communication Area Manager. “The donation is a very noble gesture, which allows you to save many lives” comments Celeste Condorelli, CEO of Gemelli Molise. “This is why we decided to dedicate the last meeting of the ‘Together in Health’ cycle to the theme of solidarity, to raise awareness above all of the younger generations about free gifts, but also about prevention and correct lifestyles”. Anemia – the note recalls – is a condition in which the number of red blood cells is not sufficient to carry enough oxygen to meet the needs of the different tissues and organs of the body. There are actually several forms of this disorder. Its severity can also vary widely, ranging from mild to severe cases. Particular attention must be given to the younger generations and their leading role. Young people can in fact contribute to a strong cultural change towards the awareness of the value of the gift and its gratuitousness. Especially in such a particular moment in the life of the planet, giving for the benefit of one’s own health and that of others goes hand in hand with a sense of responsibility towards the community. Gemelli Molise structurally collaborates with numerous voluntary associations, many of which also have a physical headquarters within the structure. Numerous initiatives are organized to encourage donation, also aimed at internal staff. Donating blood is also good for the donor so it is worth double, because it saves the lives of those who receive the blood and keeps the donor healthy. “Anemia and blood donation are connected – declares Andrea Bacigalupo, full professor of Hematology today at Gemelli Molise -. Donated blood is often essential to treat anemia, but also because the donor is periodically subjected to medical checks, so he has more opportunities to make an early diagnosis ”, he concludes.