Help Imaan’s battle against Thalassemia Major by joining the blood drive

IN A HEARTFELT appeal for solidarity and compassion, the family of 11-year-old Imaan Sheik, who was diagnosed with Thalassemia Major, are urging the public to support their upcoming blood drive. 

Shaffie Sheik, her grandfather, said Imaan was diagnosed with Thalassemia Major at age five. 

He said Thalassemia Major was the most severe, transfusion-dependent form of inherited anemia, caused by genetic mutations that severely reduced or eliminated the production of functional hemoglobin, specifically beta-globin chains.

“This leads to severe, life-threatening anemia starting in early childhood and requires lifelong management. It is an autosomal recessive disorder, meaning a child must inherit the gene from both parents.

“Some of the symptoms include anemia, growth failure, thalassemic facies, and organ issues. Treatment involves regular blood transfusions, iron chelation, splenectomy, and bone marrow transplant,” he said. 

Sheik, said Imaan, a Grade 6 pupil at Escombe Primary School, required monthly blood transfusions. 

“Imaan goes to hospital with her mum, Fathima, every month for blood transfusions. They arrive at the hospital at about 6.30am, and blood is ordered for Imaan. Sometimes, blood is not available, and she has to wait. 

“She then receives a 12-hour iron chelation drip to bring down her iron levels, as each blood transfusion increases her iron levels. There are times when Imaan and her mum leave the hospital as late as 8pm,” he said. 

Sheik said to live a normal life, Imaan was also in need of a bone marrow transplant.

“We, as a family, appeal to the community to please help and get tested as you could be Imaan’s match. To be a match, all you have to do is fill out a form and get swabbed inside your mouth with a cue tip. If you are a match, the procedure is just like donating blood. There is no surgery. 

“Remember, your bone marrow regenerates, so what you give, your body will replace. By donating or swabbing, you are not only saving Imaan but others as well,” he said. 

The “Imaan Blood Drive” will take place at the Verulam Islamic School on 38 Ireland Street, Verulam, on February 7, from 9am to 4pm.

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