Approximately 7% of the world's population is believed to carry a hemoglobin disorder, including thalassemia. In certain regions, the prevalence of carriers can surpass 20%.

Thalassemia is most common in countries like Italy, Cyprus, Turkey, and the Middle East. It’s also a significant concern here in Azerbaijan!

Thalassemia is a blood disorder resulting from a group of genetic defects that disrupt the production of hemoglobin—a protein in red blood cells responsible for transporting oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. This leads to a reduced number of functional red blood cells and lower oxygen levels in the bloodstream, causing various health issues depending on the type and severity of the condition.

Thalassemia is a hereditary condition, meaning it is passed from parents, both of whom are carriers, to their children. Thalassemia carriers generally do not need treatment or medical intervention throughout their lives. In many cases, carriers are unaware of their condition and would not know about it without specialized blood testing.

It is important to understand that if both parents are carriers of the gene, there is:

• 25% chance that the child will have thalassemia,
• 50% chance that the child will be a carrier of the gene but will not have the disease
• 25% chance that the child is not a carrier of the thalassemia gene and will not pass this gene on to future generations.

• Regular blood transfusions once or twice a month (according to their needs) throughout their life.
• Daily medication (called chelation therapy) to remove iron that accumulates in the body because of blood transfusion.
• Should be followed up on a regular basis by hematologists and other experts, such as endocrinologists, heart and liver specialists, etc., to make sure that they grow as normally as possible, with no complications in vital organs

The problem with donor blood still exists. The fact is that thalassemic children need blood transfusions 1-2 times a month, and on average they need to receive about 25-30 liters. Therefore, there is a great need to organize mass blood donation events.

Donating blood regularly can also benefit you in a few ways:

• Reduces your risk of heart attack
• Donating blood at least once a year can help improve your blood flow and reduce arterial blockages.
• Donating blood helps reduce the amount of iron in your blood, reducing the risk of atherosclerosis.
• Reveals potential health issues. You'll get a mini exam before your blood draw. This checkup can help reveal health issues you may not have been aware of.
• Lowers your risk of cancer. One of the benefits of donating blood and reducing iron stores is that it can reduce your risk of cancer.