Microcitemico of Cagliari, May 5, 1983, had only three months to live: in his arm a needle connected to a bag of blood. It was the first transfusion of a long series.
Federica Aru celebrated her 40th birthday a few months ago and today, May 8, World Thalassemia Day, she talks about her life between hospital beds but also carefree evenings despite chronic anemia. Born in Cabras , at home, close to the pond: “My parents realized that something was wrong after the first month of birth - says Federica Aru - They took me to the hospital and after the first tests, the diagnosis arrived: Thalassemia. They didn't know about this disease. The doctors immediately said that I would not be able to live more than ten years. Instead, I'm still here, thanks to innovative therapies, experimentation and my parents who never gave up".
From that moment on for Federica Aru it was a continuous coming and going between Cabras and the Microcitemico of Cagliari, her second home, her family up to the age of 26: "I was there twice a month to get my fuel - she says - I met many people. Then, to avoid the trip, 14 years ago I decided to continue the transfusions at San Martino di Oristano". Federica Aru, who loves tattoos, so much so that she has left only the part of the arm where she is pricked for transfusion “blank”, has always accepted the disease with a smile: “Now I couldn't imagine myself without Thalassemia. I was serene even when I lived with a small device that purged the excess iron from the blood to avoid compromising the organs. I've always led a normal life between evenings with friends, concerts, travel and much more. Sure, two days before the transfusion I can't stand up. But then after I get that precious red liquid I feel much better”. Federica Aru, who also found love some time ago in the hospital wards, tells a few anecdotes, smiling: “Many have always asked me if I was contagious. This is due to the lack of knowledge of the disease. Now compared to 40 years ago, however, everything is different. Research has made great strides. There is more prevention, fewer and fewer children are born with this pathology” .
Impossible not to mention the importance of blood donation and the shortage that exists especially in the summer: “Without the generosity of donors I wouldn't be telling my life. Perhaps in schools, however, there should be more information and awareness on the subject. In the summer, for example, many leave for the holidays, but we always need blood. Not only those who know the problem or those who have a relative at home who suffer from this pathology should donate. But everyone who can ”.