What is International Thalassaemia Day?

Every year on May 8th, International Thalassaemia Day honors thalassaemia patients who are no longer with us. It's also a day to honor the patients who are alive and striving for a higher quality of life.

Thalassaemia is a genetic hemoglobin disorder.. Hemoglobin is the iron-rich protein present in red blood cells. Hemoglobin's job is to circulate oxygen to the blood. The hemoglobin in a person with thalassaemia is lower than average. Multiple blood transfusions are usually required, making life extremely difficult. Every two weeks, some people with the disease require a blood transfusion.

According to the most recent estimates, around 280 million people around the world have thalassaemia.. About 439,000 people have a severe case of the disease. Thalassemia is most common in the following ethnic groups: Thalassaemia is most common in the following ethnic groups: