Bulgarian Organization of Voluntary Blood Donation became a partner of the “TOGETHER IN DIVERSITY” charity project, in support of people affected by rare diseases in Bulgaria, namely – Aniridia, Pulmonary Hypertension and Thalassemia Major.
The President of the Organization – Ms. Stefka Popova took part in a photo-session for a charity calendar for 2013, together with the Presidents of the “Aniridia – Bulgaria” Association and “Bulgarian Society of People with Pulmonary Hypertension“ Association. The idea of the calendar is to turn the attention of the society towards the problems of people suffering from rare diseases – more than 400 000 in Bulgaria, most of whom – children. Patients diagnosed with such diseases are constantly facing misunderstanding and prejudice, difficulties in their treatment and in maintaining a normal way of life.
The calendar consists of six pages, with the inner four pages featuring the Chairmen of the participating organizations as follows: BOVBD, Aniridia, BSPPH and on the fourth page – the three ladies together. BOVBD joined the project, since the lack of blood is a serious problem for patients suffering from Thalassemia Major – a rare, genetic, hematological disease. The main treatment of this disease consists of a life-support therapy through red blood-cell transfusions on every 20-25 days, so that the body can acquire the missing hemoglobin.
Joining our efforts in support of rare diseases we believe that we will contribute so the life of all of us becomes better. The funds raised will be used to support the causes of the participating organizations. The project will be symbolically closed on February 28th – The International Rare Disease Day.
If you wish to support us and join our cause, here are the ways you can do it:
– purchase a charity calendar for the price of 15 leva;
– purchase a charity calendar for a price that you choose to donate yourself;
– make a donation;
– support the sharing of the cause and offer your friends to purchase a charity calendar and make a donation;
– support us by becoming a member of BOVBD, promote our activities and like our Facebook page – БОДК/BOVBD
We thank all of you who already showed their support and purchased a calendar. We also wish to thank all of you, who will do it right now – your support is extremely important for us – what we do is entirely a volunteer act and is not easy, but we hope and believe that together we will have the strength to carry on. The shortage of blood is a serious problem in Bulgaria and people must know it exists, so this situation can change for the better.
For more information on rare diseases, please visit the websites of the European Rare Disease Organization – EURORDIS and the National Alliance of Rare Diseases – Bulgaria, as well as the site dedicated to the International Rare Disease Day.
