Italy's record blood donor, a man who
registered with the national health service in April 1980,
retired last week at the age of 70.
The man, pensioner Guido Salvadori from Bertinoro
(Forlì-Cesena), gave blood some 310 rtimes over the course of
his 42-year career.
"He is living proof that giving blood does you good," said the
head of the national blood centre, Vincenzo De Angelis.
De Angelis renewed an appeal for donors to come forward at this
time of the year, when supplies traditionally run low.
Salvadori told local daily Il Resto del Carlino: "Donating made
me feel good."
He recalled: "It was April 6, 1980, I was 28. I saw a donation
van at Sant'Antonio di Ravenna, and decided to give it a try.
"After that I never stopped.
"I'm from Cesena and now I live in Bertinoro but I lived in
Ravenna for a long time and found it more convenient to give
blood there.
"I would go to the van at seven in the morning, before my office
job".
Salvadori said he was "sorry I have to stop now that I've
reached the age limit, but those are the rules".
He added: "Anyone can give blood. I never felt any tiredness or
ill effects and I never had to miss a day's work, even though I
didn't do arduous jobs like carpenter or bricklayer.
"But I felt my body get used to the rhythm of the donations. I
would feel ready every three months, without having to look at
the calendar."
De Angelis told ANSA: "Signor Guido's story shows that giving
blood does not do you any harm, on the contrary it's very good
both for the donors and above all for those who get the blood".
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