A special cultural event was held on the 9^th of May 2023 at 5.00 pm at the Adolescent and Adult Thalassemia Care Centre (University Medical Unit), North Colombo Teaching Hospital, Mahara, Kadawatha.

The objective of conducting this event was to raise awareness of the disease and encourage thalassemia patients to go through the disease course.

The event was organized by Prof Anuja Premawardana and Dr. Padmapani Padeniya and all the staff at the thalassemia Unit of the University of Kelaniya in order to commemorate the World Thalassemia Day which falls on the 8^th of May. It commemorates the global family of thalassemia patients spread worldwide. It not only celebrates the ones fighting every day for a better tomorrow but also remembers the ones who have lost the good fight and have left this world too soon.

The artists Bathiya Jayakodi, Santhush Weeraman, and the guitarist Nalin Sampath participated as the chief guests of the event. They performed at the event, entertaining the crowd and lifting the spirits of everyone present.

Professor Janaki Hewavisenthi - Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Dr. Janaki Dissanayake – Consultant in Charge - Blood Bank, Professor Anuja Premawardhena, Professor Senani Williams, Professor Shamila de Silva, Professor Sachith Metthananda, and Professor Shiromi Perera were among the other honorable guests.

The staff and undergraduates of the Faculty of Medicine, and all the registered patients and their families in the Thalassemia Unit participated in this event.