Associazione Volontari Italiani Sangue

[4] Two years later, his group of unpaid donors became the Associazione Volontari Italiani Sangue, the first organisation of its kind in Italy.

[5] The goals of the group were "organizing a network of regular donors under constant medical control, to fight the blood trade, to spread the idea that blood is a natural and anonymous gift and to enhance scientific knowledge of transfusion practice".

[6] After the collapse of the fascist government in 1946, the new Italian Republic abrogated responsibility for blood donation to the Italian Red Cross, who were given a near-monopoly on blood donation until 1950,[4] when, following concerted political pressure, AVIS was re-recognised and granted an official title (Associazione Volontari Italiani del Sangue).

[4] On 14 July 1967, the Collection, Preservation and Distribution of Human Blood Act was passed by the Italian Government.

The right of a worker to receive a paid day off for freely donating blood, however, was enshrined in Italian law.