I’ve signed up to cycle 100 miles as part of the Ride London-Essex 100 event on 29th May, in support of the UK Thalassaemia Society (UKTS). 

I've partly signed up to do this because I like a challenge but the real reason is because my husband (hehe still love saying that) Sagar lives with beta thalassaemia major. I see the impact thalassaemia has on everything he does from the number of pills he takes, to the amount of pain he's in, the number of hospital appointments and monthly blood transfusions. However, I also see his strength, determination and positive attitude to not let those things get in the way of taking every opportunity and making the most of everyday, something a lot of us can learn from.

I want to try raise as much awareness about thalassaemia as I can and to encourage people to test for thalassaemia trait, particularly if you're looking to start a family. This lifelong, genetic blood condition could actually be eradicated with more effective screening.

What is thalassaemia? People with thalassaemia produce insufficient haemoglobin, which is used by red blood cells to carry oxygen around the body. As a result, people living with the condition often require monthly blood transfusions to combat the severe anaemia. Blood transfusions are not risk free and a number of medications are required to limit the impact of them, including iron chelation medication (to prevent iron building up on the vital organs). The list of side effects of these drugs is long and unpleasant including nausea, hearing and sight loss.  

Thalassaemia causes a number of other medical complications including excess bone growth resulting in severe bone and joint pain making everyday tasks extremely difficult and painful. 

Who's most at risk? It tends to affect people from or with families from:

• around the Mediterranean, including Italy, Greece and Cyprus
• India, Pakistan and Bangladesh
• the Middle East
• China and southeast Asia

How to test for thalassaemia trait? A simple blood test can confirm whether you are a carrier of the thalassaemia trait. You just need to ask your GP, it was very straight forward for me.

What can you do to help people with thalassaemia? Give Blood if you are able to. It's quick and easy to book an appointment online, the actual donation takes about 15 minutes. And if giving blood isn't your thing, donate to UKTS.

Thank you for taking the time to read this, your donation will make a big difference to UKTS.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.