Inspired by a recently recovered 12-year old Thalassemia patient, Cheuk-laam Wong, who lists swimming as the first thing she wishes to do after her recovery, Constance Leung (age 15), a 10th grader at Emma Willard School, will be leading her parents, Helen Ho and Calvin Leung, in a relay swim across Qiongzhou (Hainan) Strait, to raise funds to help Thalassemia patients to fulfil their dreams of recovery. The Leungs will be the first Hong Kong family to take up the challenge of this arduous 25-km rough sea journey.

Constance Leung, 一位15歲的少女，連同爸爸媽媽Helen及Calvin 都是熱愛游泳人士。他們是第一個香港家庭參加了今年7月25日橫渡瓊州海峽的游泳接力賽事。這是一項極具挑戰性，需要橫跨25公里波濤洶湧海域的賽事。為使此項游泳賽事更有意義，他們策劃了一個募捐活動，呼籲各界人士慷慨解囊，所籌得的善款會全數撥捐地中海貧血兒童基金，好讓一些合資格進行幹細胞移植但家境困難的病童得到康復的機會。

他們已經開始進行地獄式訓練，希望不負眾望，順利完成比賽，為地貧病童籌款圓夢。

What is ‘Thalassaemia’?

Thalassaemia is a hereditary blood disorder. Monthly blood transfusions and daily injection of iron chelation for 10-12 hours are basic treatment for Thalassaemia Major patients to sustain life. Currently, 1 out of 8 of the population in the HKSAR is a Thalassaemia carrier. If two persons who are Thalassaemia gene carriers bear a child, there is the chance of one in four that their offspring will inherit Thalassaemia Major.

Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (HSCT)

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is currently the only curative treatment for transfusion-dependent thalassemia. Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) matched sibling donor HSCT enjoys a high successful rate both internationally and locally. However, not all the patients are able to find HLA-matched sibling donor or HLA-matched unrelated donor. Haploidentical donor HSCT to treat patients with transfusion-dependent thalassemia to cure the disease will be an alternative.
Haploidentical HSCT was increasingly practiced in overseas centers but this is still not considered standard or routine service in Hong Kong. Therefore, there is no funding support from the Government or Hospital Authority to provide this technologically advanced treatment to needy patients. Children's Thalassaemia Foundation will raise funding for patients to carry out the transplantation with an aim of complete recovery.

Children’s Thalassaemia Foundation

Children’s Thalassaemia Foundation was founded in 1993 by a group of medical professionals, patient’s parents and charitable members of the community, with no subvention from government. Throughout these years, the Foundation has been inspired to work towards improving clinical care, supporting medical research and enhance public awareness of Thalassaemia. This is to ensure that children born with Thalassaemia major can grow in a healthy and happy environment.
We need your Helping Hand!
DONATION METHODS

For all currencies

For HK dollar only

Tele Transfer through Bank

Account Name: Children's Thalassaemia Foundation
Account No: 015-514-68-01220-2
Banker: Bank of East Asia Hong Kong Limited
Bank Address: 10 Des Voeux Road Central, Hong Kong

Swiftcode: BEASHKHH

**Donation receipt will be sent by email

To learn more about thalassaemia and the Foundation

' +852 2986-3311
* ctfhk@biznetvigator.com
: www.thalassaemia.org.hk
地中海貧血兒童基金
Children Thalassaemia Foundation
Room 1102 SUP Tower, 75-83 King’s Road, North Point, Hong Kong.