A Century Ago…

In 1925, an American pediatrician named Dr. Thomas Benton Cooley described a serious health problem in children (mostly of Italian origin) who had severe anemia, enlarged liver and spleen, and bone deformities. This condition was later called Cooley’s Anemia, now known as Beta Thalassemia Major.

In 1932, another American doctor, George Hoyt Whipple, named this condition Thalassemia — combining the Greek word “Thalassa” (meaning sea) and “emia” (meaning blood). The name reflects its high occurrence in Mediterranean countries.

What is Thalassemia?

Thalassemia isn’t just one disease. It’s a group of inherited blood disorders caused by problems in making part of hemoglobin — the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. These problems result in:

Why May 8 Matters

World Thalassemia Day is observed on May 8 every year to honor........

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