b'Soroptimist InternationalReport for the High-Level Political Forum Thalassemia Awareness Project: Kuwait SI KuwaitBypromotingawarenessandaccesstoiron in the blood as a result of the necessary blood healthcare for a congenital illness, this projecttransfusions. The only possible cure for thalassemia supports SDG3 on good health and wellbeing,is a stem cell or bone marrow transplant, but this is SDG4 on education, SDG5 on gender equality,rarely done because of the risks involved.SDG10 on reduced inequalities and SDG17 on partnerships for sustainable development.The number of patients living with thalassemia in theArabGulfregion isthehighestintheworld. WhiletheKuwaitgovernmenthasaneffective servicethathelpstestforinheriteddiseaseslike thalassemia and there is still no specialised centre fortreatment.Throughtheirproject,SIKuwait aimedtoraiseawarenessandfundstoopena thalassemia centre to ensure patients could get the caretheyneeded,promoteblooddrives,create support groups, donate blood pumps to individuals inneedandencourageyoungpeopletohave genetic blood-testing. Working in partnership with a regional NGO called Loyac,SIKuwaitdevelopedacurriculumabout Thalassemia is group of inherited conditions whichthalassemia that could be used on a yearly summer affectshaemoglobin,thesubstanceusedbyredcourse to educate, enable and empower youth to blood cells to carry oxygen around the body. Thosespread awareness about the disease and encourage with thalassemia experience problems shortly afterthem to join the advocacy movement. The seven-birthastheyproduceeitherno,ortoolittledaycourseincludedguestspeakers,fieldtrips, haemoglobin, which can make them anaemic andblood drives and mentoring in communication skills cause tiredness, shortness of breath and weakness.and acquired knowledge.More serious types of thalassemia can cause serious organ damage and be life threatening. As with manyAs a direct result of SI Kuwaits advocacy work, the inheritable diseases, its possible to be a carrier ofgovernmentpolicyonbloodpumpschanged. thalassemia without suffering fromit; to be bornPreviously, it was only distributed free to citizens of with thalassemia a personmustinheritthegeneKuwait, leaving many in need unable to access this from both parents. vital piece of equipment. Now anyone living with thalassemia,regardlessofnationality,isableto Thoselivingwiththalassemiawillneedspecialistreceivea blood pump iftheylivein Kuwait. This carethroughouttheirlives,withthemainmarksasignificantachievementforKuwaitin treatmentsbeingregularbloodtransfusionsandensuring equal health outcomes for all. chelation therapy to ensure there is not too much17'