The UK Thalassaemia Society will be holding a free screening event in north London on Sunday 14 May.
In a statement, they said: “If you are concerned you may be a carrier, perhaps because someone in your family has a blood disorder or is a carrier, it’s a good idea to get tested before you start a family.
“That way you can understand your risk of passing on a blood disorder to any children you have, and have the opportunity to discuss options for a healthy pregnancy with your GP or another healthcare professional.
You can book your appointment via our registration page“
The event will be taking place from 1-4 pm at 19 The Broadway Southgate Circus, London N14 6PH.
What is Thalassaemia?
Thalassaemia is the name for a group of inherited conditions that affect a substance in the blood called haemoglobin.
People with thalassaemia produce either no or too little haemoglobin, which is used by red blood cells to carry oxygen around the body.
This can make them very anaemic (tired, short of breath and pale).
It mainly affects people of Mediterranean, south Asian, southeast Asian and Middle Eastern origin.
There are different types of thalassaemia, which can be divided into alpha and beta thalassaemias. Beta thalassaemia major is the most severe type.
Other types include beta thalassaemia intermedia, alpha thalassaemia major and haemoglobin H disease.
It’s also possible to be a “carrier” of thalassaemia, also known as having the thalassaemia trait.
Being a beta thalassaemia carrier will not generally cause you any health problems, but you’re at risk of having children with thalassaemia.