The first issue of “Blood Transfusion” in 2007 marked the start of a new editorial line which set ambitious aims1: one year later I believe that it is right to give our readers a first account of what has been achieved. The first aim was to create an internationally valid, scientific instrument for the members of SIMTI. I think it can be agreed that the quality of the manuscripts published is good. The fact that each manuscript is critically examined by two reviewers has, on the one hand, led to the involvement of people already expert in the field of scientific publishing in the activities of “Blood Transfusion”, and, on the other hand, provided guidance for authors about how to improve their contributions and thus achieve the desired good results. Despite initial concerns, there has been a substantial increase in the number of manuscripts submitted for publication (+80% compared to the preceding year). The switch to being an English-only journal has been very important. For our colleagues from abroad, it has facilitated both submissions to “Blood Transfusion” as authors and their work as reviewers. Furthermore, it has enabled us to achieve another of the ambitious aims that we set: affiliation with other Italian and international Scientific Societies. I can, in fact, announce with great pleasure that with the first issue of 2008, “Blood Transfusion” has become the official organ not only of SIMTI, but also of the Italian Association of Haemophilia Centres (AICE) and of the Hellenic Society for Blood Transfusion (HSBT) whose Presidents, respectively Professor Pier Mannuccio Mannucci and Professor Alice Maniatis, have become Affiliated Societies Editors. Furthermore, the affiliation of the Spanish Society of Blood Transfusion (SETS) to our journal is currently being explored. Some of our members feared that the exclusive use of English could alienate our Italian readers from the journal, but I believe that this risk has been circumvented by the creation of a new, efficient website (www.bloodtransfusion.it) in which the whole of the journal is also available in Italian. The creation of the website is yet another important goal that has been achieved: manuscripts that have been accepted, but still not published, are listed on the home page and can be immediately cited using a Digital Object Identifier (DOI) number. The website incorporates the most up-to-date information technology and electronic consultation systems, including notification by e-mail of the publication of new issues, facilitated access to the site, and searches for authors and articles through the use of key words. Given the importance of the site, the Board of Directors of SIMTI has decided to make it accessible to everyone, without the need for a password, to enhance its consultation and use. Without this instrument it would not have been possible even to start the procedure necessary to have the journal indexed, whereas we have in fact already asked the National Library of Medicine to include “Blood Transfusion” among its indexed journals. We are confidently waiting for a positive reply. The last consideration I would like to make concerns the group of people who started this adventure and have carried it through to date: the Editorial Board. All the members of the Editorial Board have worked really hard with enthusiasm, professionalism and group spirit in producing articles and soliciting their colleagues to do so. It is inevitable that my thoughts turn to one of the members of this group who tragically left us: on November 21, 2007 a brutal and very rapidly evolving disease led to the premature death of Fernanda Morelati, at only 55 years old. Fernanda Morelati was a fundamental reference figure for all people working in Italian Transfusion Services. From 1978 she worked at the Transfusion and Immunohaematology Centre at Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico in Milan and her Chief pays tribute to her in this issue of the journal2. However, I believe that there is not a single Transfusion Service in Italy that has not directly or indirectly benefited from her skill and professionalism. Over the last few years she participated actively in the initiatives of our Scientific Society and was asked, precisely because of her expertise in immunohaematology, to join the editorial board of this journal. The rigour, dedication and scientific level of her contribution were formidable, accompanied by an undoubtedly strong character and an ability to radiate her enthusiasm to other people. The Italian community of Transfusion Medicine will remember her as one of its strongest and nicest protagonists and even our work for “Blood Transfusion” will be better if we hold her enthusiasm in our memories.