Salvatore E. Quinci, known to everyone as “Sal”, was born in Boston to Francesco and Margherita Quinci, but as an infant moved to Italy with his family, where he lived until he was 14 years old. He came to this country in 1970 where he left a mark on all of us that will last forever. On May 17, 2000, his life came to an end, but his spirit lives on in everyone that was so blessed to know him. He passed away after a 4-week battle being sustained on life support following a catastrophic G.I. bleed due to complications of Hepatitis C and HIV. How ironic that he died not from the Hemophilia which he was diagnosed as a child, but from a disease that he contracted from the very product that was helping him combat his Hemophilia.

Sal was a beloved son, brother, uncle, partner, godfather and friend. Sal had a smile and a joke for everyone he met. He had a magnificent sense of humor and was able to camouflage all the stress and pain he was going through so he wouldn’t bring anyone else down. Sal was unselfish and will be remembered as a man of principle who had a capacity to care. As with many others in the bleeding disorders community, he was dealt many blows in his life. He not only had to deal with his Hemophilia, but also with Hepatitis C, HIV and Aids. No matter what Sal had been through, his concern was still for the present and future generations of those with Hemophilia, like his nephew Tony. Sal did not want to see them suffer as he and so many others did. I know it was for his nephew that he became actively involved within the Hemophilia Community. He volunteered at many NEHA activities including family camp, and the annual golf tournament. He was also actively involved with COTT. It was Sal who suggested and initiated the current COTT support group led by its HIV advocate John Rider. At a symposium he attended, he got up during an intermission and asked if anyone would be interested in a support group for those with Hemophilia, HIV/Aids and or Hepatitis C, and what a response he got!


Sal was so loved and respected for the person he was and his memory will live on due to his legacy of love for others. Occasionally we forget how sacred human life is. All we think about is our own problems and we sometimes forget what other people have to deal with in life, which can be even more damaging. We forget to take the time to be with our loved ones and take pleasure in life together. He was at his best around family and friends.


God has a purpose for each one of us and Sal would want us to find that purpose and accept it. So in Sal’s memory let us all do just that and enjoy life while we have it.