2018 World Thalassaemia Day (WTD)

The World Thalassaemia Day (WTD) is observed every year on May 8 to raise awareness about this deadly disease and the importance of blood donation. Thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder in the blood in which the body produces abnormally low Red Blood Cells (RBCs) which are the protein carriers. The disease causes a number of complications such as bone deformities, heart palpitations, jaundice and delayed puberty, among others. As the disease is inherited, it cannot be cured but can be managed or treated through blood transfusion and bone-marrow cell transplantation if diagnosed at the right time. The 2018 theme is ‘Thalassaemia past, present and future: Documenting progress and patients’ needs worldwide’.