Shortly after the earthquake on 25th April 2015 which devastated much of Nepal, myself and Elaine Miller of the UKTS
launched an emergency appeal for help for the families affected by thalassaemia. Many had lost their homes and all their possessions in the disaster and were sleeping in tents in or rough shelters with animals; and everyone was desperately short of food. I have been in as much communication as possible with our clinic President Durga Pathak in Kathmandu; and we now have information that a large number of our families have been affected including 6 families who have lost everything … their homes, their belongings and their livestock which is also their livelihood.
The response to our appeal has been staggering with almost £20,000.00 being donated to date, much of which has come from members of the UK Thalassaemia Society. There have been fund raising events planned by both people I know and many who I have never met. It’s truly humbling. Twenty thousand pounds probably would not go very far in the UK, but in Nepal it has enabled us to achieve a great deal – many of the Nepali children affected by thalassaemia would undoubtedly have gone hungry were it not for the generosity of our friends in the UK.
The events of the last few months have touched hearts all over the world and there are no words to express my sincere gratitude and thanks to all those who have helped and continue to help us in our mission to support our devastated families. Please accept my apologies for not writing personally to everyone… it has been a struggle to keep up with so much kindness and so much generosity. I am deeply grateful to all.
The help that you have given us will go a long way to getting many families back on their feet. It means everything to them to know that members of our international “thalassaemia family” care and were willing to help them in their hour of need.