Pune: The Indian Red Cross Society, Pune Branch in association with Thalassemia Society Pune Chapter (TSPC) and Janakalyan Blood Bank is organizing month long activities to mark ‘World Thalassemia Day’ and ‘World Red Cross Day’. This information was given at a press briefing by Dr. Nita Munshi, President- Thalassemia Society Pune Chapter. & Consultant Medical Services, Ruby Hall Clinic, Pune, Prof. R.V Kulkarni, Hon. Secretary, Indian Red Cross Society, Pune Chapter and Dr. Atul Kulkarni, Director, Jan Kalyan Blood Bank.
The activities will kick off with an awareness rally from Sahyadri Hospital, Deccan to IMA Hall in the morning on 8th May followed by a CME on Thalassemia at IMA Hall ( Nitu Mandke Hall). An event is organized at The Metro Station – Civil Court along with Rotary Club Pune Central to place standees and posters at all Metro stations for Awareness and to light up many buildings including Metro Stations in RED This will be followed by various free checkup camps, around 20 awareness sessions in colleges through the month and around 30-35 blood donation camps in Pune in association with various organizations and hospitals, first aid training for youth Red Cross Volunteers etc . A fund-raising orchestra on 8th May from 7pm onwards at Nehru Memorial Hall will help contribute to the various initiatives for children with Thalassemia.
Dr. Nita Munshi, President, Thalassemia Society Pune Chapter & Consultant. Medical Services, Ruby Hall Clinic said that “On the occasion of World Thalassemia Day and World Red Cross day- we want to reiterate that Thalassemia is a serious yet largely preventable genetic disorder through screening and counselling. In India, with thousands of affected births annually and a high carrier rate, awareness is our strongest tool.
Our focus remains on the three pillars—Care through lifelong treatment support of blood transfusions, Cure via options like bone marrow transplant, and most importantly, Curb through Awareness & screening and counselling.
A simple pre-marital or prenatal test can prevent lifelong suffering. Together, through community participation and sustained awareness, we can move towards a thalassemia-free future.”
Dr. Atul Kulkarni, Director, Jan Kalyan Blood Bank said that one of the key activities this month would be various blood donation camps. Summers is when there is a lot of scarcity of blood. Thalassemia patients, particularly those with beta-thalassemia major, require regular blood transfusions. These blood donations and awareness would give much relief to thalassemia and other patients.
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