Thalassemia major is a lifelong blood disorder that often requires regular transfusions. Misunderstandings around this condition can lead to fear, stigma or poor treatment decisions.

Myth: “Regular transfusions will poison the body and should be avoided”

Fact: For thalassemia major, regular transfusions are the standard, life‑saving treatment.

·       In thalassemia major, the body cannot make enough healthy hemoglobin on its own.

·       Without transfusions, children develop severe anemia, poor growth, bone changes and life‑threatening complications.

·       Regular transfusions, combined with iron‑removal medicine (chelation), allow many patients to grow normally, study, work and live much longer.

While transfusions do cause iron to build up in the body, this is managed with chelation drugs, not by avoiding transfusions.

Myth: “A child needing transfusions is weak and will never live a normal life”

Fact: With proper care, many children with thalassemia can live active, meaningful lives.

·       They can attend school, play, make friends, and later hold jobs and have families.

·       Challenges are real—frequent hospital visits, medicine, risk of infections—but these can be managed with support.

The key is early diagnosis, regular follow‑up at specialized centres, and stable access to safe blood.

Myth: “Transfusions will change my child’s blood group or personality”

Fact: Transfusions:

·       Do not permanently change a person’s basic blood group type (A, B, AB, O, Rh).

·       Do not affect personality, intelligence, or moral character.

They simply provide healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen.

Myth: “Once my child looks better, we can stop transfusions”

Fact: In thalassemia major, the improvement you see—more colour, more energy—is because of the transfusions.

·       If transfusions are stopped, the child’s own bone marrow cannot maintain safe hemoglobin levels.

·       Anemia returns, and long‑term damage (to heart, liver, bones, growth) accelerates.

Doctors may adjust the transfusion schedule based on tests and growth, but stopping on your own is dangerous.

Myth: “It’s shameful to have thalassemia in the family”

Fact: Thalassemia is an inherited genetic condition, not a moral failing.

·       It is passed down when both parents carry a specific gene change (trait), often without knowing.

·       Many families discover the condition only when a child becomes very anemic.

Blame and shame do not help; what helps is:

·       Learning about the condition.

·       Following medical advice.

·       Considering screening and counselling for marriage and future pregnancies.

How donors and communities can help

For families living with thalassemia, one of the biggest stresses is finding safe blood regularly. Voluntary donors and organized systems like RedLife can:

·       Reduce last‑minute panic for families.

·       Provide reliable access to compatible blood.

·       Allow children and adults with thalassemia to receive transfusions on schedule and live healthier lives.