Every year, May 8 is celebrated as the International Thalassaemia Day. What is Thalassaemia? Thalassaemia is a term used to describe a set of diseases that belong to a larger group, the anaemias. When someone has anaemia, his body cannot produce enough normal red blood cells, which are cells that carry oxygen from the lungs throughout the whole body. They flow in the blood stream and give it its red color. Thalassaemias are hereditary diseases, meaning that they are caused by problems within our genetic make-up, and not because of nutrition or other environmental factors, and are passed on to children from their two parents – both mother and father. What is at fault in thalassaemia is a change in the haemoglobin molecule, a protein found within each red cell, responsible for carrying oxygen to tissues and organs. There are different types of thalassaemia, some of which require more demanding therapy than others. In any case, patients with thalassaemia must be followed by healthcare professional experts in specialized centers throughout their lifetime to have the best possible health outcomes. With around 100 million people carrying thalassaemia-related genes and over 300,000 newborns diagnosed with a severe form of the condition each year, this day serves as a potent reminder of the need to elevate awareness of thalassaemia and its profound impact on many, strengthen the bonds of unity within the global community, and advocate for healthcare practices that prioritise patients and their holistic health and well-being. Theme for 2025 The theme of the event this year is “Together for Thalassaemia: Uniting Communities, Prioritizing Patients”. Thalassaemia is more than just a disease. It transcends numbers and statistics, and it involves real people with real challenges and real lived experiences. By placing people at the forefront of our efforts and embracing a patient-centric approach in thalassaemia care, we can shift the focus on the holistic well-being of the individual rather than solely on their medical condition. Together in unity, the thalassaemia community can become a formidable force of advocacy and action to ensure that the challenges, needs, and rights of individuals with the condition are not only acknowledged but prioritized in healthcare practices. Source : Thalassaemia International Federation