Thalassemic kids join global campaign

Vadodara: The coronavirus pandemic and the global lockdown badly hit the blood banks across the world. With depleting stock of blood, thalassemia major patients from across the world came together to raise awareness through art about the need for blood donation.
Some 112 kids from India who suffer from thalassemia on Sunday participated in the awareness campaign supported by city-based NGO The Wishing Factory (TWF). “The idea of the art competition was floated by the United Kingdom thalassemia Society (UKTS) and we joined hands with them. Children from 45 countries from all over the world participated,” said Parth Thakur, founder of TWF.
“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,” said Gabriel Theophanous, chairman of UKTS. The kids have made artworks showcasing the lives of thalassaemia patients and how they have to regularly visit hospitals to undergo blood transfusion. Several kids have also pasted their paintings on the doors and windows of their houses to make people in their neighbourhood and others aware about blood donation.
“As per a report India needs 13 million units of blood every year but every year there is a deficit. Due to lockdown the condition has only worsened,” Thakur said.