When Maybelline, the iconic beauty brand behind Maria’s first blush, invited her to star in their “We Speak” disability pride campaign, she seized the opportunity to become the very thing she longed to see as a child—a model proudly representing the thalassemia community.
May 8, 2019 – International Thalassemia Day – which is commemorated each May 8th – is a very special day for our thalassemia community. On this day, we pause to remember our friends who are no longer with us. We also celebrate all patients who are trying to live their best lives while managing the […]
May 8, 2018 – In honor of International Thalassemia Day (May 8), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has posted information about thalassemia on their website and a new profile of CAF Board Member Maria Hadjidemetriou on their website. You can view this page by clicking here . CAF thanks the CDC for their support […]
February 27, 2018 – CAF Board Member and thalassemia patient Maria Hadjidemetriou believes that people with thalassemia should “fall in love with thalassemia because it is a part of who you are.” She explains what she means by this in her feature profile on the CDC website, which can be found at this link. We […]
February 21, 2017- Lisa Falco Guidice is an active member of the CAF patient community, and we thank her for sharing her inspiring story. I am a proud Jersey girl, born in Summit and raised in Florham Park. After being diagnosed with thalassemia major at 6 months old, my mother did everything she could to […]
June 29, 2016- Daniella Macolino is a 24 year old actress who pursues her dreams each day while living, and thriving, with thalassemia major. CAF thanks Daniella for allowing us to share her inspiring story. When I was four months old, my family and I were on vacation in Vermont when my mom noticed I […]
June 20, 2016 – 14 years ago CAF ran a story about two siblings (Mia and Teddy Xyloportas) whose thalassemia was cured through a bone marrow transplant. They were fortunate that their sister Marcella was a match for both of them and was able to donate bone marrow for a successful BMT. (You can download […]
May 9, 2016 – Yasmeen Anis, a person with thalassemia, shares her personal story below. CAF thanks Yasmeen for letting us share this story with you. NEGU – Never Ever Give Up – is something Yasmeen’s best friend told her one day, and it’s a motto that she’s kept since that day. Diagnosed with beta […]
October 19, 2012 – When Heather and Aaron Ayris decided to welcome a nine-year old boy with thalassemia into their home for six weeks, they hoped their hospitality would help improve his health. They wanted to show their guest a good time and lift his spirit. But it’s the Ayris family whose lives were changed […]
December 11, 2012 – Alyssa Altieri says, that without a doubt, her mom, Sandy is her best friend. Since Alyssa was diagnosed with thalassemia at just five months old, Sandy has been there for her every day. “She has taken care of me every step of the way,” 25-year-old Alyssa explained. “She has handled all […]
