Every year the World Thalassemia Day is celebrated on May 8. The day is celebrated to encourage the patients suffering from Thalassemia, to raise awareness amongst the general public and decision-makers about thalassaemia.
Theme :“Addressing Health Inequalities Across the Global Thalassemia Community”.
Key points:
History
i.In the year 1994, the Thalassemia International Federation established May 8 as International Thalassemia Day.
ii.The day was declared an International observance in the loving memory of George Englezos and all thalassemia patients who fought the disease and while confronting the social stigma attached to it achieved both personal and professional success in life.
iii.George was the son of Thalassemia International Federation’s (TIF) president and founder, Panos Englezos and worked as a scientist.
About Thalassaemia:
i.It is an inherited blood disorder that passes from parents to children.
ii.The disease significantly reduces the haemoglobin count in the body and affects the production of red blood cells.
iii.Thus the ability of the body to produce haemoglobin and red blood cells gets affected.
iv.There are several types of thalassaemia disease and its treatment depends on its types and severity.
Symptoms of Thalassaemia disease
- Drowsiness and Fatigue
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Delayed growth
- Headaches
- Jaundice and pale skin
- Dizziness and faintness
- Greater susceptibility to infections
Treatment:
The few treatment options available for thalassaemia are Blood Transfusion,Bone Marrow Transplant and Luspatercept(drug)
About Thalassaemia International Federation(TIF):
The Thalassaemia International Federation (TIF) is a non-profit, non-governmental organisation founded in 1986 by a small group of patients and parents representing mainly National Thalassaemia Associations in Cyprus, Greece, UK, USA and Italy.
TIF has evolved into an umbrella federation, with 232 member associations, in 62 countries of the world
President: Panos Englezos
