World Thalassaemia Day 2024: Theme, Date, Significance, History

International Thalassaemia Day, also known as World Thalassaemia Day, is observed every year on 8^th May to raise awareness among people about this condition. Launched by the Thalassaemia International Federation, the day also aims to promote and strengthen the lifelong and difficult struggle of patients against this disease. On this day general public and decision-makers also offer their tributes to those who have lost their life to thalassaemia. This article presents detailed information about thalassaemia and World Thalassemia Day 2024.

World Thalassaemia Day 2024 Date

Below mentioned are the upcoming dates for World Thalassaemia Day for the upcoming 5 years.

Event	Date	Day
World Thalassaemia Day 2024	May 8, 2024	Wednesday
World Thalassaemia Day 2025	May 8, 2025	Thursday
World Thalassaemia Day 2026	May 8, 2026	Friday
World Thalassaemia Day 2027	May 8, 2027	Saturday

World Thalassaemia Day 2024 Overview

Event	World Thalassemia Day, International Thalassemia Day
Date	May 8, 2024
Day	Wednesday
Declared by	Thalassaemia International Federation
Observed by	Worldwide
Purpose of celebration	To renew the promise to keep fighting until the final cure for Thalassaemia is found.
Frequency	Annual

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Significance of World Thalassaemia Day

World Thalassaemia Day serves multiple purposes. Check here why observing this day is so significant.

Every year World Thalassaemia Day is observed to draw the attention of individuals as well as public authorities, healthcare professionals, patient associations, industry representatives, etc on promoting actions to fight the disease. The day also raises awareness of the prevention, management or treatment of the disease in a patient-centered manner.

Individuals living with thalassaemia are also dealing with the social stigma attached to the condition. Thalassaemia day has a major aim to debunk myths related to this disorder so as to help the patients lead a normal life.

World Thalassaemia Day is also about honoring the efforts of doctors and medical professionals who help patients.

Thalassaemia, Its Symptoms & Prevention

Thalassaemia is a blood disorder caused by abnormal hemoglobin production. Genetic in nature, thalassaemia ultimately leads to anemia. In thalassaemia oxygen does not reach all the body parts leading to disturbed body functions due to insufficient production of blood in red cells. If both parents have thalassaemia genes then the child is more likely to suffer from this disease. Let us some more about the symptoms, prevention and treatment of this disease.

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Symptoms

Fatigue or excessive tiredness
Delayed growth
Pale or yellow skin
Dark urine
Bone deformities

Prevention

Parents suffering from thalassaemia should consult a doctor and attend genetic counseling. This can give some idea on reducing the risk of thalassaemia in their kids.
Pregnant women should undergo prenatal tests to detect thalassaemia before birth of the child.
Get in touch with consultants or doctors for information regarding immunization for children to manage the disorder.

Treatment

Mild forms of thalassaemia don’t need treatment.
More severe forms of thalassaemia require frequent blood transfusions.
For children with severe thalassaemia, a stem cell transplant is the only treatment.

World Thalassaemia Day History

International Thalassaemia Day was established by the Thalassaemia International Federation (TIF) in 1994. it was found in the memory of George Englezos, the son of TIF founder and president, Panos Englezos and all thalassaemia patients who are no longer with us. There is even a George Englezos Award given to an individual with an outstanding scientific, clinical, medical or research contribution to the field.

George suffered from thalassaemia but with quality therapy, he was able to compete on equal terms with other people. He even went on to receive higher education abroad and returned to Cyprus after becoming a scientist.

Celebration of World Thalassaemia Day

Every year since 1994, the Thalassaemia International Federation (TIF) organizes different activities on the occasion of International Thalassaemia Day. Different online competitions are organized by the federation across the world according to the theme of the year. Many schools, colleges, and educational institutions organize various activities and events to educate children about thalassaemia, its symptoms and prevention. Patients and their family members are encouraged to participate to gain some more knowledge about the disease.

World Thalassaemia Day 2024 Theme

Every year World Thalassaemia Day is celebrated according to a theme. The theme for the year 2024 is “Empowering Lives, Embracing Progress: Equitable and Accessible Thalassaemia Treatment for All”. Your should also check the themes of this special day for the last 5 years.

Year	Theme
2018	Thalassaemia past, present and future: Documenting progress and patients’ needs worldwide.
2019	Universal access to quality thalassaemia healthcare services: Building bridges with and for patients
2020	The dawning of a new era for thalassaemia: Time for a global effort to make novel therapies accessible and affordable to patients
2021	Addressing health inequalities across the global thalassaemia community.
2022	Be Aware. Share. Care: Working with the global community as one to improve thalassaemia knowledge.
2023	“Be Aware. Share. Care: Strengthening Education to Bridge the Thalassaemia Care Gap.’’