The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced that it will hold its Big Breakfast tomorrow (Tuesday, April 18, 2006), in its premises in Rashidiya to raise funds to fight Thalassaemia. The ‘Big Breakfast’ is organised by a team of young leaders from the Mohammed Bin Rashid Programme for Leadership Development under the patronage of H.H Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Technology and Media Free Zone Authority.
The ‘Big Breakfast’ is being organized in various government and private organizations across the UAE to raise money for Thalassaemia research and to support those suffering from the disease and their families. To create awareness and promote this cause, RTA has circulated pamphlets and brochures and distributed posters in its organization.
Dr. Aysha Al Busmait, Executive Director of Marketing and Corporate Communications, RTA said, "RTA's commitment towards such social causes under the guidance of H.E Matter Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of Roads and Transport will be on-going, and is part of our corporate social responsibility initiatives. The ‘Big Breakfast’ is an important campaign through which we will be contributing to the cause of eradicating Thalassaemia by 2012."
"All employees from RTA have expressed their keen desire to participate in this programme and to support the government in its efforts to raise awareness about Thalassaemia. We are looking forward to playing a key role in the support of such a worthy cause.”
The ‘Big Breakfast’ is the first of its kind in the Middle East and is of great relevance. In the UAE, one in 20 Nationals carries the Beta Thalassaemia trait. On an average, 25 patients visit the Thalassaemia centre at Al Wasl Hospital each day for blood transfusions. Sufferers require transfusions three times a week and daily medication. Despite that the oldest known survivor of the disease in the UAE is just 27 years old.
The treatment is costly and the only known cure is an expensive bone marrow transplant, but for it to be successful it must be carried out before the patient reaches the age of 12.
The money raised from Big Breakfast is used on research, education and prevention programmes and to support sufferers of Thalassaemia and their families.
