THALASSAEMIA CHARITY FUND RAISING

LAUNCHING....Group photo taken during the official launching

SABAH DAP Kota Kinabalu Youth and Wanita wings launched a charity drive in aid of the Sabah Thalassaemia Society at Gaya Street on last Sunday, 18th July 2010. A special discount book of coupons redeemable for goods and services obtained from many shops, restaurants and other outlets worth over RM400, available for only RM35 with the proceeds (part) as funds to help the Sabah Thalassaemia Society.

At the launch were MP for Kota Kinabalu, YB Hiew King Cheu, ADUN for Sri Tanjung, YB Jimmy Wong, Vice president of Sabah Thalassaemia Society, Mdm Jennifer Lee, Sabah DAP Medical and Health Advisory Bureau Chief, Dr Felix Chong, Sabah DAP KK Youth chief, Mr Junz Wong, KK Wanita Chief, Miss Monica Shiau, and Sabah DAP leaders, supporters and the patients Steve Haiker and Maizly Baily from the Sabah Thalassaemia Society.

Thalassaemia is an inherited autosomal recessive blood disease, where a genetic defect results in the formation of abnormal hemoglobin molecules, thus causing anemia, the characteristic presenting symptom of the thalassaemias.

In its most severe form called thalassaemia major treatment includes chronic blood transfusion therapy, iron chelation, splenectomy, and allogeneic hematopoietic transplantation. All these treatments are very expensive especially when most of Thalasaemics are from poor families in districts like Kudat, Kota Marudu, Pitas and Ranau among others.

Sabah Thalassaemia Society covers over 1500 patients and their families, and provided help in many levels of Thalassaemia care.

Sabah DAP as part of its social responsibility will help to raise funds for the Sabah Thalassaemia Society. Any donation please contact Sabah Thalassaemia Society at 088-212200.