In Sardinia the blood emergency shows no sign of stopping and according to the latest reports from the Sassari AOU , 30,000 bags are missing. However, heartening signals arrive from Fonni , with data going against the trend and the local section among the first in Italy for donations . Founded in 1990, it has 302 members and 431 donations in the last year. A record average with 120 bottles per thousand inhabitants, compared to 40 at regional level and 49 nationally. A fact that fills Stefano Busia (76 years old) with pride. President of the local branch for thirty-three years: «Ours is a generous community – says Busia – when we founded the section we had 49 members, today after decades of work we have quadrupled the numbers».

He continues: «2023 was a record year, with countless social initiatives and the population responding en masse to donations. Every time the blood truck arrives in town we record an average of 34 donations. We have already scheduled 14 collections for the next few months. The first on January 18th."

And as the association heads towards the annual meeting on February 3rd, Busia does not fail to point out: «Once upon a time we were the ones calling for donations, today we don't stop doing so, but we are thrilled to see that many are contacting us showing interest and availability. Young people are different and all united by a social fund." In fact, broader initiatives emerge: «We have been working with schools for years and have over 20 thematic conferences under our belt and the support of experts such as Oreste Castagna . We fight to fight gambling addiction and promote research on diabetes . We also finance scholarships for high school and undergraduate students." But not only that: «In recent months we have donated funds to the brothers from Romagna affected by the flood. We are inspired by good for others."

An example can only come from the "Blood Donors square", a stone's throw from the headquarters in via Grazia Deledda: «We care about its cleanliness and decorum - adds Busia - and a few years ago we had a sculpture installed which reproduces the three thank you: give, have, receive. They all help us; we are a big family that looks to the future with optimism." From the roof of the island, good practices of generosity that have endured over the years: «We collaborate with sections throughout Sardinia - concludes Busia - and we have a special relationship with the friends of Desulo, with whom we often organize joint initiatives».