Help Baby Haleema Survive
Thalassemia Major in
Afghanistan
My name is [Samiullah Khan], and I am the parent of Haleema, my beautiful 2-year-old daughter. Our lives changed forever when she was diagnosed with Thalassemia Major, a life-threatening blood disorder that requires monthly blood transfusions, iron chelation therapy, and constant medical care. Without treatment, this disease causes severe anemia, organ damage, and can be fatal.
But here in Afghanistan, where healthcare is crumbling and poverty is widespread, getting Haleema the care she needs is a daily struggle.
• Blood shortages mean we often wait for transfusions while she grows weaker.
• Medicines are expensive and hard to find-iron chelation drugs are critical but unaffordable for
many.
• Hospitals lack specialists, forcing us to travel long distances for basic care.
• Economic collapse has left our family struggling to afford even food, let alone lifesaving treatment.
Despite all this, Haleema fights with a smile. She deserves a chance to live, grow, and play like any other child. But we cannot do this alone.
