UDINE. The 198 sections of the provincial Afds of Udine, representing over 50 thousand registered volunteers, met for the ordinary assembly, hosted by the University of Udine, in the Strassoldo room in the economic-legal center of via Tomadini. The report of president Roberto Flora reviewed the activity of 2023, an intense year for the voluntary association, committed to countering the effects of the birth rate decline and to guarantee blood self-sufficiency for the entire region’s healthcare system. A year in which donations were 35,482, an increase of 942 units equal to 2.7% compared to 2022. A result that avoided emergencies during the year, also thanks to the booking and call system created by the Afds. However, there are also other issues on the table that have emerged at a national level, such as the modification of health protocols and the disparity in application of the State-Regions agreement on the different territories.
“We have spoken against the proposal that, given the shortage of transfusion doctors, donor visits for access to donation be carried out by nurses – said Flora -. While we esteem the preparation of the latter, we believe the role of the doctor is indispensable in the interest of both the volunteers and the patients. As regards plasma donations, then, I want to underline the decisive contribution given by women volunteers who are reaching parity with male donors both in donating and in animating our initiatives”.
Before the report, President Flora, as tradition, delivered merit to six volunteers who have reached an important milestone in the last year: Nella Toneatto (120 donations), Nello Mattiussi (127), Loris Mario Zoratti (137), Bruno Flebus (150), Gianni Lerussi (155) and Enrico Fuser with 199 donations. They are important examples for young people, another strategic theme touched upon during the assembly.
“We cannot complain about the results achieved – Flora then said -, but we must grasp the positive signs since we are in a moment of transition due to the fact that the society of which we are an active part is rapidly changing and we cannot stay behind, tied to an image of the past, because the blood donor and the association that represents him are necessarily committed to the future. For this reason, we have invested in young people and their training as well as in communication in order not to miss out on our presence where the future is being built.
Without a doubt the most qualifying event of 2023 was the 24 hours of giving, an initiative that we built with the indispensable collaboration of the Transfusion Department of the University Health Authority of Friuli Centrale for which we are grateful to the medical and paramedical staff for what they we consider a shared success also for a better mutual relationship. With this initiative, the protocols tested allow us to offer the donation even at times that are not the usual morning ones and we have already tested it positively with some afternoon openings. In fact, the negative demographic trend is already making itself felt and it is necessary to be ready to meet donors at times that are favorable to them and to produce effective communication that reaches all those who can potentially donate”.
Among other initiatives, the Mortegliano Congress, the Coppa Dono in collaboration with the FIGC Lega Nazionale Dilettanti, ‘Maturità è’ for high school students, ‘Put the gift in motion’, the activity with the collaboration of the Municipality of Udine, participation in ‘Sapori Pro Loco’.
“I believe in the future of Afds – concluded Flora – and with everyone’s commitment, we will be able to transform it into an association capable of being increasingly close to donors and solicitous in defending their dignity and their role in the blood system” .
Present at the meeting were, among others, the head of the regional blood system Andrea Bontadini and the regional health councilor Riccardo Riccardi.
Finally, the assembly made it official venue of the 2025 Congress. Of the three candidate locations, Gonars was chosen and will take over the baton from next September Sutrio.
