A heritage tram rolled through the streets of Kolkata on May 13 as students and senior citizens joined a special rally to raise awareness for World Thalassemia Day.
The event, organised to highlight the importance of early screening and diagnosis of thalassemia, used one of the city’s iconic trams as a moving platform for public outreach.
Participants travelled together on the decorated Heritage Tram, spreading messages on prevention, blood donation, and support for patients living with the genetic blood disorder.
World Thalassemia Day is officially observed on May 8 each year. The 2026 theme, ‘Hidden No More: Finding the Undiagnosed. Supporting the Unseen’ focuses on identifying undiagnosed cases and improving support systems for affected families.
The organisers said the rally aimed to educate the public on how awareness, pre-marital screening and early diagnosis can help prevent thalassemia. Similar awareness campaigns and blood donation drives were held across India and other countries during the week.
