KARACHI: While grieving over the death of popular singer-turned-preacher, Junaid Jamshed, many may not believe that the late star was a great humanitarian and an iconic Thalassemia Awareness Campaigner and used to support many healthcare causes. Circles close to Junaid confided their sorrows to Daily Times that his demise is a great loss to health sector, specifically to our fight against Thalassaemia, the inherited blood disorder. Thalassemia major is a condition in which patients need blood transfusions to survive, whereas Thalassemia minor is a carrier state. The root cause is the marriage between two Thalassemia minor carriers, making it an inherited genetic blood disorder. “Around 5% of the population is a carrier of Thalessemia minor and Junaid wanted to serve them all.” Junaid had planned to visit Punjab next month for the Thalassemia Awareness campaign. “I had a conversation with Junaid over phone around two weeks ago. When he came to know about the plight of the children of that area, he showed his willingness to be a part of the campaign,” said Muhammad Iqbal, Chairman Kashif Iqbal Thalassaemia Care Centre (KITCC). “I am willing to join your campaign,” Muhammad Iqbal quoted Junaid saying. “When he came to know about disease situation in Bhakkar district, where every Thalassemiac child has to drive for 5 long hours to Lahore for every blood transfusion session, Juanid moved to tears and assured me of his full cooperation,” Iqbal added. Junaid used to weep over the failure of fight against Thalassaemia and regretted that Thalassaemia awareness had been largely neglected the by the government. Thalassemia is a genetic blood disorder that affects the production of the hemoglobin, the oxygen carrying component of the red blood cell. Because of this, patients have to get blood transfusions, usually every two to three weeks. These blood transfusions are done at a hospital and can take anywhere from six to eight hours or more. In Pakistan, approximately 100,000 patients are suffering from this disorder and every year, 5,000 babies are born with this deadly disease. Sharing his personal experience, Iqbal said, in the year 1996, Junaid had campaigned to collect an amount the he needed for Kashif’s treatment abroad. “I needed Rs. 9m for Kashif’s bone marrow transplantation, an amount out of my reach. But both Junaid and great artist Moin Akhter helped me collecting the money through a campaign. Although we have lost Kashif to the disease, we cannot forget the eagerness of these two great artists to support me through.” Iqbal added. It is pertinent to note that Kashif, was son of Muhammad Iqbal, who died of Thalassaemia in the year 1996. His death prompted Muhammad Iqbal to set the centre in the memory of his late son to save children suffering from Thalassaemia. Further, Junaid Jamshed also played important role in creating Thalassaemia awareness by campaigning as a TV host. “He was a fantastic human being and great social worker of the time, who never cared about his name or fame, but took up the cause to serve,” Lt. Gen. (R) Moinuddin Haider, President Thalassemia Federation of Pakistan, who had held various meetings with Junaid said. “When celebrities join hands for the cause of health and education, the campaign becomes a success.” Moinuddin Haider, referred the visits of Dilip Kumar (Muhammad Yusuf Khan), acting icon of sub-continent and actress Shabana Azmi to Foundation in Karachi in 1980s, 1990s. “For example, they make people aware of the situation related to the disease so as how important it is for couple to go for screening tests before marriage,” Haider added. Renowned singer, Faakhir Mehmood who traveled around the world with Junaid for music concerts, said, Junaid participated took part in many social activities and charity concerts. “His tilt for social work was even before he became the preacher, as you know artists are sensitive,” Faakhir told. Faakhir said he knew Junaid from his schooldays. “My relation started with Junaid during 1980s. Probably it was in 1984, when for the first time I saw him in a school concert. I belong to Islamabad and he was Rawalpindi-based in those days.” After some years, Junaid, with his team Vital Signs, settled down in Rawalpindi and shot the fame as top band of Pakistan.” “Junaid was great human being. His services towards humanity would be remembered alway,” Faakhir added.