KARACHI: The Pakistan Thalassaemia Federation (Sindh) Monday organised a sports gala for children suffering from thalassaemia and their families at the PAF Museum. The Al-Mustafa, Omair Sana Foundation, Kashif Iqbal Thalassaemia Centre, Muhammadi Thalassaemia Centre, Hussainni Thalasaemi Centre, Help, Burhani, Fatimid and others organizations, providing treatment and diagnostic facilities to thalassaemia patients, attended the event. A large number of children suffering from the disease attended the sports gala and also participated in different games. Gifts were also distributed amongst children who participated in Qir’aat and Naat competitions. Speaking on the occasion, Sindh Thalassaemia Federation President Muhammad said such activities bring positive changes to the life of thalassaemia patients and such events should be organised on regular basis. “More than 6,000 children are born with severe form of the thalassaemia every year. Therefore in order to curb this, thalassaemia test before marriage has been made mandatory for every couple as it can prevent parents to have babies with thalassaemia disease,” Iqbal said. He appealed to the citizens to donate blood at least once a year to help save children suffering from thalassaemia. Published in Daily Times, February 6th 2018.