Pune: 100 children from Society of Friends of Sassoon Hospitals (SOFOSH) have been given Diwali gifts. These children suffer from a rare disease, thalassemia. It is a blood disorder involving lower-than-normal amounts of an oxygen-carrying protein. 

The gift kit contains one kg of sugar, one kg of Diwali faral, rawa, one litre of edible oil, one soap and other food items. 

Officials from SOFOSH said that a lot of people have generously donated for these special children. This tradition continues for the last 10 years. 

Speaking during the distribution, Dr Ajay Chandanwale, Dean of Sassoon General Hospital (SGH) said that the thalassemia unit was started in the year 2000. “So far the hospital has given treatment to over 900 children. At present, 120 children are undergoing thalassemia treatment. Thalassemia is a genetic disorder in which the child has to undergo blood transfusion every month. Approximately, per year the expenses go up to one and a half lakh. We treat these children under Mahatma Phule Jan Arogya Yojana (MPJAY) so that those who come from financially poor families do not suffer,” said Chandanwale.