GUJARAT, AHMEDABAD 08 MAY 2025: Nova IVF and Wings Women’s Hospital organised a Walkathon at the Sabarmati Riverfront on the occasion of World Thalassemia Day on Thursday morning, raising awareness about thalassemia and the importance of genetic disease screening. The event brought together more than 300 healthcare professionals, patients, families, and citizens in a show of support for those affected by thalassemia.
The Walkathon reinforced the urgent need for widespread education, accessible screening programmes, and regular blood donation, which remains crucial for the survival of patients with thalassemia.
Dr. Jayesh Amin, IVF and Infertility Specialist at Nova IVF, said, “This Walkathon to mark World Thalassemia Day is a tribute to the resilience of thousands of thalassemia patients and their families in India and globally. Awareness is a vital step in the journey towards a thalassemia-free future. Through real-life stories and medical insights, we aim to inspire greater public awareness about the need for genetic screening, timely diagnosis, and preventive care.”
The event also witnessed one couples, who have undergone treatment at Nova IVF, sharing stories of their experiences in navigating parenthood with the knowledge of being carriers of genetic disorders.
Priyanka ShrawanLakhara, hailing from Jodhpur, Rajasthan, recounted the emotional and physical toll of raising a child with Thalassemia Major, who requires blood transfusions every 21 days. They were unaware that they were carriers of Thalassemia when their child was conceived. Determined not to repeat the ordeal, they turned to IVF with Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Monogenic disorders for their second child, who is now 1.5 years old and free of the disease.
Thalassemia is a hereditary blood disorder that impairs the body’s ability to produce adequate haemoglobin. India records the highest number of thalassemia major births globally, with an estimated 10,000 to 12,000 affected children born each year. It is estimated that around 10% of the Indian population carries the thalassemia gene, often unknowingly. Patients with the condition require lifelong blood transfusions and iron chelation therapy to manage its effects.
According to Dr. Amin, of the approximately 4,000 known genetic mutations, 17–18 are common causes of serious inherited conditions. Globally, around 3% of live births are either affected by or carriers of such syndromes. He said that with proper pre-genetic screening, many of these conditions can be prevented, significantly reducing the burden on families and the healthcare system.
World Thalassemia Day is observed each year on 8th May to raise awareness about the condition, promote prevention, support early diagnosis and treatment, and improve care for patients.
