Emanuele Favaloro (1920–2009) and Francesca Favaloro (1922–2009)

 

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I would like to dedicate this issue of Seminars in Thrombosis and Hemostasis to the memory of my uncle, Emanuele Favaloro (Fig. [1]), and my aunt, Francesca Favaloro (Fig. [2]), both of whom died in 2009. Married in 1940, they were only 1 year from celebrating their 70th wedding anniversary. That they died within 3 months of each other from unrelated causes perhaps also says something significant about the strength of the bond they shared.

Figure 1 Emanuele Favaloro (1920–2009).

Figure 2 Francesca Favaloro (1922–2009).

Although neither Emanuele nor Francesca had any direct affiliation with this journal, life's journey involves many events and relationships that ultimately lead us to the place that we occupy within this universe. Emanuele was born in Italy in 1920 and, like many of the young men of his generation, was swept up in the Second World War during his late teens. Unlike many of his comrades, Emanuele survived this horrendous war. However, life in Italy after this catastrophic event while trying to bring up a family was really no easier than life had been during the war, and so traveling alone, Emanuele eventually left his homeland to arrive in a strange land called Australia. Here he worked hard and earned enough money to bring his wife and family across from Italy, and later he paved the way for my own family's eventual emigration in the early 1960s. I was 2 years old at the time and have no memory of the trip, but I can certainly recognize that any decision to move to an unfamiliar environment is not one that is taken lightly.

Today, there is no doubt I would not be where I am had it not been for the actions of the man after whom I was named, the woman who so closely shared in his life, and in whose home I always felt so welcomed. Emanuele and Francesca Favaloro, this issue of Seminars in Thrombosis and Hemostasis is dedicated to you. May you both rest in peace.

Emmanuel J FavaloroPh.D. M.A.I.M.S. 

Department of Haematology, Institute of Clinical Pathology and Medical Research (ICPMR)

Westmead Hospital, WSAHS, Westmead, Australia

Email: emmanuel.favaloro@swahs.health.nsw.gov.au