World Thalassemia Day

May 10, 2022

Every year, May 8^th is celebrated as World Thalassemia Day.

What is the theme of World Thalassemia Day, 2022?

The theme for World Thalassemia Day 2022 is, “Be Aware. Share. Care: Working with the global community as one to improve Thalassemia knowledge”.

When the World Thalassemia Day was first observed?

The event was first organised by the Thalassemia International Federation (TIF) in 1994, in memory of George Englezos, the son of Thalassemia International Federation (TIF) founder, who lost his life to the Thalassemia. Since then, the day is observed every year on May 8th.

What is the aim of World Thalassemia Day?

World Thalassemia Day aims to create awareness about Thalassemia and support patients, their families and health care workers with information to combat it.

What is Thalassemia?

Thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder passed to a child by either of the parents.

What happens if one gets Thalassemia?

Thalassemia causes defective red blood cell production leading to low haemoglobin and such patients require lifelong blood transfusion to cope with their lives.
The defective red blood cells also cause a lot of problems, such as anaemia, shortness of breath, extreme fatigue, and irregular heartbeats.
When there is not enough haemoglobin, the body’s red blood cells don’t function properly, which causes anaemia.

Why Thalassemia will lead to anaemia?

The body of a person suffering from thalassemia makes less haemoglobin than that of a normal person. Haemoglobin is responsible for carrying oxygen to the different parts of the body. When there is not enough haemoglobin, the body’s red blood cells don’t function properly, which causes anaemia.

What are the types of Thalassemia?

There are two types of thalassemia — alpha and beta.

What are the sub-categories of Thalassemia?

Thalassemia Minor, Thalassemia Intermedia and Thalassemia Major are the sub-categories.

How many children suffer with Thalassemia in India?

According to the Indian government, around 10,000 to 15,000 infants are born each year in India with Thalassemia Major. About 67,000 patients suffer in India from beta Thalassemia.