Helping sufferers is this thalassemia survivor’s mission

At 32, Jatin Sejpal is a survivor. Born a thalassemia major, Jatin has had two major operations, survived an accident, lost vision in one eye and yet manages to smile his way through life.

Today, Jatin is a counsellor for thalassemia patients at the Indian Red Cross Society, Pune’s office and is also a committee member of the Thalassemia Society of Pune. He has counselled over 100 patients over the last two years.

Jatin was detected a thalassemia major at the age of five. He had a very rough childhood. He told DNA on Saturday, “I was a shy and introverted child. Nobody befriended me, not even relatives. At school, no classmate spoke to me and the teachers stopped me from playing sports and taking part in excursions. It was horrible.”

He has been undergoing blood transfusions and chelation therapy for the last 25 years. He said, “I belong to a middle class family and my parents never had enough money to get blood transfusion for me every 15 days.”

As Jatin’s family resources were stretched, he recalled being admitted to the general ward for his transfusion and chelation therapy. “It was a very depressing experience,” he said. But all this is behind him. Today, Jatin has made it his life’s mission to help and serve other thalassemic patients.

Jatin said, “There is a lack of awareness about thalassemia. There is a stigma attached to the disease, which is not fair.”

According to Jatin, the quality of life can be improved for thalassemia patients if proper care and drug adherence is continued. “My parents were told that I would die at the age of 10, but I have survived and am optimistic of leading a healthy life,” he said.

Next, Jatin wants to get married and settle down with an understanding life partner.