A major awareness event will take place at the presidential palace on Thursday evening to mark world Thalassaemia day, shining a spotlight on the challenges faced by patients and the future of treatment in Cyprus and beyond.

Held under the auspices of the presidency of the republic, the event is titled “From Knowledge, Experience and Research to Practice: New Perspectives for Optimising Thalassaemia Care”. It aims to bring together experts, policymakers and patients to discuss how research and experience can lead to better care and outcomes.

More than 1,400 people in Cyprus are living with thalassaemia, a chronic, inherited blood disorder that often requires lifelong transfusions and close monitoring. The country has long been praised for its prevention and screening programmes, but advocates say more needs to be done to improve quality of life and ensure equitable access to treatment.

The event comes as the world marks world Thalassaemia day on Thursday, May 8. This year’s theme, “Together for Thalassaemia: United Communities, Prioritised Patients”, calls on governments and health systems to place patients at the heart of care.

Speaking ahead of the palace event, Panos Englezos, president of the international Thalassaemia federation (Tif), said: 

“We must listen to patients and treat them not just as recipients of care, but as equal partners. It’s time for a new social contract, one that recognises the value of every voice in the thalassaemia community.”

In Cyprus alone, around 700 people live with the most serious type, beta-thalassaemia major, and 110 more have the intermediate form, according to Tif.

To mark the occasion, landmarks in over 70 countries will be lit up in red this week as part of the #BringThalToLight campaign. Activities are also underway in more than 100 countries, including blood drives, educational events and online webinars.