[Andrew Goodfield]

My mother had the trait which passed through to me and my youngest sister. My second sister, older than the first, does not carry it. My mother, myself and my youngest sister always felt we were in relatively poor health compared to my other sister but why was a mystery. At school I could win a 100m race but would come last in a cross country race! I could never comprehend this. Also being a blood donor my blood was sometimes rejected as being border line anaemic.

It was not until my mother had some blood work done in her late 60’s that the trait was first revealed and confirmed. The rest of the family were then advised to get tested, with the results as above.

I do not, nor cannot, accept the view that the trait is something not to worry about and that you may just get a ‘little bit tired’.

Recommended reading/study is the web site ‘thalassemia patients and friends’ which is eye opening.