The Relief India Trust Thalassemia Project

Thalassemia is a blood condition that is inherited in which the body makes an abnormal form of hemoglobin. This leads to the destruction of the red blood cells and causes anemia. Thalassemia is caused when there is a defect in the gene that controls the production of either of the two proteins that form hemoglobin. Sadly this disease is rampant in countries populated by Africans and Asians. It is this knowledge that made Thalassemia a subject of major concern to the Relief India Trust Wiki.

Children born with Thalassemia are normal at birth but develop anemia during the first year of growth. Other symptoms include; bone deformities in the face, fatigue, growth failure, shortness of breath and yellow skin. This renders the children unable to lead normal lives. This also makes it an area of concern for Relief India trust who are focused on the plight of children and fighting disability. The organization carries out physical examination for children to establish if they are victims. Mutational analysis is also carried out to the patients. The patients are then referred to esteemed medical facilities for medication and where possible Relief India Trust Wiki may handle the cases.

Treatment of Thalassemia mainly involves regular blood transfusion. The good news is that Relief India Trust Wiki is actively involved in blood donation exercises which make the much needed blood available for this project. Another mode of treatment is the use of iron supplements. These supplements are also supplied to schools and hospitals by the Relief India Trust Wiki. It is recommended that those having blood transfusions should not take the supplements as they can build up in the body and thus cause poisoning. The patients receiving therapy receive a treatment called chelating therapy that helps remove excess iron from the blood. Severe Thalassemia causes early deaths at an average of 20 to 30 years. Getting regular blood transfusion and therapy to remove excess iron from the body helps to improve the outcome. The organization ensures that therapists are available to carry out this all important exercise. Untreated Thalassemia may cause heart failure and liver symptoms and make a person more likely to develop infections.

On the prevention front, Relief India Trust Noida actively carries out genetic counseling to couples while offering possible alternatives and solutions; prenatal screening is also done for pregnant women in a bid to curb the disease in its formative stages. Proper measures can be put into place to avoid child loss during birth as this disease causes still births.

Relief India Trust Noida organ donation awareness campaign has a role to play in Thalassemia treatment. Bone marrow transplants are also helpful in the treatment of this disease and potential donors are found during these organ donation campaigns.

Through therapeutic intervention, blood transfusion, early diagnosis and treatment individuals have been given a chance to lead a normal life and become more productive citizens. Iron supplements continue to be rolled out strategically to reach those who need them but cannot afford them. All this calls for manpower, expertise and financial intervention. It is therefore an appeal by Relief India Trust Wiki to willing donors and volunteers to come out in support of this noble cause.