UAE's 'Tour of Hope' a huge success for country's thalassemia community

The tour, which began in Dubai on 23 April, completed its course in Dubai today, as doctors, patients, and families gathered at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre to celebrate the tour's accomplishment with fun, family-oriented activities, as well as a scientific workshop.

"The UAE's thalassemia community has shown that it can be strong and positive when faced with the ongoing challenges associated with the treatment of this chronic disease," said Dr. Khawla Belhoul, Director of Dubai Thalassemia Center.

"Our 'Tour of Hope' has touched the lives of many, many sufferers and their families, and we hope that they are now better for the experience of having met with our visiting doctors, patients, and families. We have all shared and learned a lot from the 'Tour of Hope' experience," added Dr. Belhoul.

The scientific workshop brought together top regional physicians in the disease area - Dr. Abdullah Al Khayat, Dr. Khawla Belhoul, Dr. Ali Taher, Dr. Amal Bashlawi, and Dr. Mahmood Marashi, among others - to address disease related issues. Topics included: challenges for adult thalassemia, handling abnormal blood sugar in thalassemia patients, management of iron overload in Thalassemia patients, and novel drug therapies.

The day's activities concluded with recreation and dinner held at Dubai's Creek Park sponsored by the Emirates Thalassemia Society.

The idea for the 'Tour of Hope' was born at the Dubai Thalassemia Center and has been strongly supported by the UAE's medical and Thalassemia communities. The tour has provided a significant educational base for carriers and sufferers ahead of International Thalassemia Day on 8 May.