Aitken Spence to initiate walk for Thalassemia awareness on May 6

Aitken Spence, the prominent Sri Lankan conglomerate recently announced plans for the initiation of a walk for Thalassemia awareness. 
The project is an effort extended through the annual CSR calendar of the Aitken Spence employee council and is scheduled to commence from the Aitken Spence head office located at Vauxhall Street on the 6th of May at 07.30 am. 
Thalassemia is a genetic blood disorder, occurring throughout the island, in which haemoglobin, the main protein of the red blood cell, is not produced in sufficient quantities. Although babies affected by Thalassemia are apparently healthy at birth, severe life-threatening anaemia becomes apparent at the age of about six months. Thereafter, most require monthly blood transfusions. In most children, without transfusion, death occurs in the first few years of life.
The walk is expected to be carried out with the participation of Aitken Spence employees and the general public alongside the participation of Doctors from the Thalassemia Foundation. The walk is expected to raise awareness regarding the condition and funds for the Foundation through its initiative. 
Printed t-shirts will be made available for purchase as a souvenir item and proceeds from the sale of merchandise and donations will be channelled to the Foundation. The walk is also scheduled to be followed by a blood donation campaign held at the auditorium of the Aitken Spence head office. 
“We are privileged to participate in a notable cause like this and the Aitken Spence commitment towards sustainable CSR practices has been instrumental in the adoption of this initiative. We are hoping to create awareness about this debilitating disease and come to the aid of the Fund,” commented Anil Hapugoda, President of the Aitken Spence 
Employee Council.
Aitken Spence has remained committed towards carrying out meaningful CSR initiatives for the benefit of the communities throughout the island. With a strong presence in almost every key sector of the local economy, Aitken Spence has continued to maintain strong nurturing ties with the people in the communities surrounding its island-wide operation and the Thalassemia Walk is one such endeavour. Widely recognized as one of the most diversified conglomerates in the country, the company remains committed to taking an active interest in the wellbeing of its many stakeholders.