Objectives To achieve its goal as guided by the vision-mission of the association, that is to provide the optimal for the thalassemic child in order to help him grow as normal as possible and enter the mainstream of normal life. Vision To detect, diagnose, and if possible, reduce the incidence of Thalassemia in the Philippines. To improve the quality life (pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic means) of Thalassemic patients. To educate the population regarding Thalassemia and its impact to the society. To affiliate BA-THA with international Thalassemia societies that can help our poor Thalassemic patients. Mission To create a support group (parents, friends, patients who have/are thalassemics) that will assist the family of the Thalassemic child cope up with the emotional, psychological, spiritual and financial demands of having a Thalassemic child. To increase public awareness and involvement To educate the lay and medical personnel regarding Thalassemia To improve the medical care and treatment thru updates and researchers. To make treatment and medications affordable and accessible to all thalasemic patients. To aid the Thalassemic adults enter the normal mainstream of society and live a normal, happy, productive life.

Facts          Thalassemia is fatal genetic disease that affects millions of people around the world. It strikes people who live in a tropical belt reaching across Eurasia, from Mediterranean Greeks and Italians, to people from South Asia, such as India and reaches into Southeast Asia and China. It is estimated that 180 million people carry the thalessemia gene.          If both parents carry the disease, there is a one in four chance in a pregnancy that the child will inherit the fatal form of the disorder.          Children affected with thalassemia cannot make enough hemoglobin, the substance that carries oxygen in the blood.          For centuries, most children born with the disease did not survive past their 10th birthday.          The most severe form, alpha thalassemia mostly strikes people from Southeast Asia, China and the Philippines and often results in the death of the newborn child. Others have milder forms of the disease.          Children who have the disease appear healthy at first but by one or two lose their appetite and energy, became pale and eventually develop jaundice, or a yellowing of the skin.          If the disease is not treated, the heart, spleen and liver become enlarged. Bones can become thin. The children can die from heart failure or infection.