Thalassemia warriors from India spread the importance of blood donation through their art

Felicitated on World Blood Donor Day

Every year 14 June is celebrated as World Blood Donor Day to raise awareness of the need for safe blood and to thank donors for their voluntary life saving gifts. With the current Covid 19 situation there is a need to raise awareness about the blood donation which gives a new life to many all across the world.

In March this year, United Kingdom Thalassaemia Society (UKTS) – the national charity for thalassaemia in the UK – launched an art competition for children all over the world. With concerns about blood supply levels during the current COVID-19 pandemic, the aim was to raise awareness through art about the vital need for blood donation.

From India Vadodara based organisation ‘The Wishing Factory’ was leading the way and support the initiative. The Indian charity actively encouraged children to take part, resulting in 18% of the total worldwide entries from the Indian subcontinent alone. The founder of the organisation Partth Thakur was also a part of the Global jury and has specially selected three best entires of India who will be awarded with Certificates and Amazon Vouchers.

The campaign surpassed all expectations as 45 countries from all over the world participated by sending entires of their children. UKTS Chairman, Gabriel Theophanous said: “Not only have we been bowled over by the overwhelming response and the creativity, but also the high degree of empathy shown in the children’s artwork. Thalassaemia is one of many conditions and situations where lives depend on blood donors. We cannot stress enough how important it is for people to donate blood if they can.”

This completion was only open to Thalassemia Major patients from across the world. The best three entires from India selected are by Aron, Avneey and Anurag who are Thalassemia warriors aged 8,12 and 16 respectively. Partth further added, “I was three months old when I got my blood transfusion. The only reason why I still exist is because I get blood. So I think it’s a phenomenal blessing to have blood donors who donate regularly. Due to the current situation of COVID 19, there is acute blood shortage which makes things tough but I sincerely hope and pray that by means of this campaign, people once again go out individually, with all the protection and safety, and donate blood”

Thalassaemia is a chronic blood disorder affecting the genes that are responsible for production of red blood cells. What this means is that patients with thalassaemia are dependent on regular blood transfusions throughout their lives. Without them, they would die in early childhood. Thalassaemia developed as an evolutionary response to malaria which is why it mainly affects those coming from regions such as Asia and South East Asia, the Mediterranean, South America, the Caribbean, Northern, and Central Africa and the Middle East. Whilst it was initially prevalent in these regions, due to the migration of communities over the centuries, anyone can be at risk.

After speaking to a Thalassemia Major patient about the Blood donors, she said “They are amazing. They are giving somebody like me a chance at life. Without them, I would not be here today. They are the invisible superheroes and I cannot thank them enough!”