Funding of free blood provided to 75 Thalassemia patients in Rotary TTK Blood Bank, Bangalore

Thalassemia is a genetic blood disorder which effects children right from age zero till their death. The symptoms of the conditions results in

1. Abnormal haemoglobin

2. Impaired growth

The patients require lifelong blood transfusions (every few weeks) with attendant problems like

1. Infections

2. Enlarged organs

3. Jaundice

The frequent blood transfusions causes iron deposits in the body which need to be flushed out by resorting to oral / IV medicines. These medicines, apart from regular blood transfusion, cause huge financial losses to the families and immeasurable distress for the patient.

As a not-for-profit public charitable trust, the cost of blood and transfusion needs to be funded year on year.

1. In 2017 -18, the number of free units towards this cause: 2240 units

2. At the rate of Rs. 2500 per transfusion, the cost of free blood and transfusion is Rs. 56 lakhs

As of today, BMST is helping 75 Thalassemia patients get free blood and transfusion at our day care centre. We are also supporting 10 patients from the lower economic background by giving them free medicines

2,240 units of blood have been issued free to Thalassemia patients and provided free transfusion. This, apart from reducing the immeasurable distress to the family by providing blood at no cost, these patients get blood on demand without having to go through the anxiety of finding the replacement donor for the blood.

The screening and genetic counseling for first and second degree relatives of Thalassemia patients are also conducted to reduce the incidence of the disorder.