Dubai Women's College students walk for Thalassemia patients

Thalassemia, the most common genetic disease known to mankind, is a type of hereditary anemia also known as Mediterranean Anemia or Cooley's Anemia.

A total of thirty-eight DWC students raised the money by walking with pedometers recording their steps for about three hours around the historic Al Ain Oasis.

Brien Holmes, Chairman of Emirates Environmental Group, accompanied the group and explained the archaeology, culture and botany of the site.

During a check presentation event at the College, Suhaib Mohammad, from the UAE Genetic Diseases Association, spoke about his experience as a Thalassemia Major sufferer and encouraged students to join the efforts of raising awareness about Thalassemia.

"Although the treatment, while expensive, is free for everybody in the UAE, there is much that needs to be done to raise awareness of Thalessemia if the government is to reach its goal of no Thalassemia by 2012," he noted.

DWC students who participated in the fund raising walk talked about their experience and committed to be more involved in raising awareness about Thalessemia among the community.

Participating students, from the Health Science Department, showed a significant deal of enthusiasm and wanted to walk a lot further than the agreed distance with some suggesting a mountain walk next time.

"The walk was a great way to get the students to tie in giving with personal effort involved which made them really think about their purpose. To then meet Suhaib brought the whole event full circle," said Alison Oglosby.

Thalassemia is known to be a prevalent disease in the UAE.

The UAE's Thalassemia community is organizing a "Hope Continues" campaign which will be launched on May 3rd at Dubai Creek Park.

The purpose of the campaign is to encourage pre-marital blood testing and blood donation.