When a public health crisis in the Maldives resultd in children being afflicted with Thalassaemia, an inherited disease of the red blood cells, the Emirates Airline Foundation was determined to deliver aid. This genetic disease, endemic to the island nation, threatens an entire generation. In order to survive, the children need to undergo a grueling programme of monthly blood transfusions and daily injections.

One constant worry with the transfusions is that the blood might carry impurities and this could be fatal given the children’s already weakened systems. Blood filters are vital to ensure the blood is pure. The Foundation funded a year’s supply of these blood filters at a cost of US $100,000 to help over 500 suffering children. 

The Foundation is working with the Society for Health Education (SHE), an NGO dedicated to tackling the disease through a massive health public outreach programme. “It is a constant battle to keep our children healthy and comfortable,” said Dr Naila Firous of SHE. While an expensive bone marrow transplant is the only cure, for a majority this is not affordable. These blood filters help keep these children alive in the hope that some day a cure will be found.

“The gift that the passengers of Emirates, through the Emirates Airline Foundation, have given our children is, to put it simply, life,” said Dr Naila.