Thalassemia Major is a genetic blood disorder, where a patient cannot produce normal Hemoglobin. Red cells are unable to transport oxygen. This disease is more prevalent in Sindhi, Punjabi, Gujarati and Lohana caste.

In India, on every 10000 birth one child is born with Thalassemia Major. There are almost 3500 Thalassemia Major Patients in Hyderabad.

If both the parents are Thalassemia Minor, then there are 25% chances of having a Thalassemia Major baby, 50% chances of having Thalassemia Minor kids and only 25% chances of having absolute normal child

• Thalassemia Major Children are unable to produce healthy and effective red cells as a result, they have problem of pallor, weakness, growth retardation, bone deformities etc.
• Thalassemia Major is mostly incurable.
• For survival, they need repeated red cells transfusion for every 15 to 20 days, hence it’s apparent that life of these patients is dependent on regular Blood donors.
• Due to repeated transfusions, there is an iron overload in the body, which gets deposited in heart, liver and pancreas. Excess iron has to be removed with chelator drug which is expensive.
• They are at an increased risk of blood borne infections like HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C.
• It is a costly affair for the family as the monthly treatment cost around Rs.8,000-10,000
• The Thalassemic children will have to undergo blood transfusion since their birth and has to continue as long as the patient survive, thus undergoing stress of pain and huge financial commitment.
• Despite all the pain and medication, only few of Thalassemia children cross teenage in India.