Thalassemia: It's in Our Blood
It's In Our Blood is a podcast created for the entire thalassemia community—patients, parents, siblings, significant others, friends, healthcare providers, and anyone impacted by or interested in this genetic blood disorder. Our platform is one where people living with thalassemia and those supporting them can share their personal stories, successes, challenges, and questions. Each episode features authentic voices from patients, caregivers, family members/spouses, providers and others whose lives are touched by thalassemia.
Episodes
Episode 14: Having a Mother with Thalassemia: A Teen’s Perspective
In part 2 of our trilogy discussing the perspective of children whose parents have thalassemia, meet Julia and Maria - an inspiring daughter-mother duo with an unbreakable bond. Maria has transfusion-dependent thalassemia and is a fierce global advocate in her role as executive board member of the Cooley’s Anemia Foundation and the Thalassemia International Federation. She has touched countless li
Episode 13: Raising Hope: Growing Up with a Parent Who Has Thalassemia
As the producers of “Thalassemia: It’s In Our Blood” we pride ourselves on innovation. Part of this has been introducing topics that have never been talked about, or, discussed very little. We strive to give people, who have not had the opportunity, a platform to share their stories. This episode - the first in a trilogy - highlights the perspective of children whose parents have thalassemia. Ple
Episode 12: Honouring Dr. Nica Cappellini on International Thalassemia Day, May 8, 2026
Today, International Thalassemia Day 2026, marks the one year anniversary of the first episode of "Thalassemia: It's In Our Blood." We are beyond fortunate to have Dr. Maria Domenica Cappellini as our guest to help us mark this important occasion. We are dedicating this special episode to honouring her more than four decades of brilliant, life-changing work that has transformed the l
Episode 11: Blood, Borders, and Breakthroughs: Tobias' US-to-Taiwan Story
In this episode of Thalassemia, It’s in Our Blood, guest Tobias Larkin shares his journey from living with Thalassemia in the U.S. to building a life in Taiwan as an English teacher. He reflects on his diagnosis, the steps that helped him turn a high school dream into reality, and his experience receiving transfusions and care in Taiwan. Tobias’s story is an inspiring look at what may be possible
Episode 10: Pregnancy with Thalassemia: Mom's Twin Journey Story
Our community often asks about pregnancy and parenthood with Thalassemia—which is why we dedicated episode 10 to this topic. Linda Black reached out after hearing the podcast, eager to share her story and raise awareness about Thalassemia and pregnancy. Linda, a 33-year-old stay-at-home mom and patient in the US, naturally conceived twins who are now 3 years old. Hear her story and why it's a
Episode 9: Through a Mother’s Love: Honoring Menaal’s Legacy with Shermin Mullan
This Valentine’s Day, we honor a love that continues to shine. A mother’s love that has turned pain into purpose. In this heartfelt episode, Shermin shares the story of her daughter, Menaal, who passed away at 18 from complications following a bone marrow transplant for thalassemia. Just two years into her grief, Shermin speaks about how she keeps Menaal’s light alive each day.Through Menaal4Life
Episode 8: Patient Voices, New Year's Messages 2026
Join us for an inspiring Episode 8 where patient voices from around the world share heartfelt New Year 2026 messages for the thalassemia community.
Episode 7: Thalassemia Cured at 52, John Zuke's Zynteglo Journey
John Zuke, now 53, is a nurse anesthetist and the oldest US patient cured of thalassemia. John shares openly about decades of transfusions from childhood, his experience at 52 undergoing gene therapy through Zynteglo, and his vibrant life now—transfusion-free, married with boys aged 14 and 17, and working hard, playing hard. John's light shows us that a lifetime's fight can end in cure; we
Episode 6: Aliya's Journey to a Cure
As people living with thalassemia and those who live with chronic illness and rare disease, we are especially grateful for medical advances and scientific breakthroughs. Join us as we talk with guest, Aliya Rinaldi, about growing up with thalassemia and then her journey towards a cure as one of the pioneer patients undergoing bluebird bio’s gene therapy trial for Zynteglo, Aliya’s story is some a
Episode 5: A Conversation with Dina Steagall in Honor of Merula Steagall
On today’s episode we talk to Dina Steagall whose beloved mother, Merula Steagall, passed away from thalassemia at age 56. Merula started Abrasta and Abrale, the Brazilian non-profit organizations for thalassemia and blood cancers. About having a mother with thalassemia, Dina quotes, “we have warriors as our role models and we have so much to learn from them…she was my role model…she was an angel
Episode 4: Shelby’s Story, Hope and Healing Through Genetic Therapy
Michelle Campbell invites us into her family’s remarkable story living with thalassemia, a rare genetic disorder affecting her daughter Shelby. Hear about how they navigated the diagnosis, the difficult decisions they made, and how they embraced cutting-edge genetic therapy. Michelle’s heartfelt story demonstrates the incredible advances in medicine, and the strength it takes to face life’s toughe
Episode 3: Understanding Thalassemia 101
On this episode "Understanding Thalassemia 101", we share the essentials of this genetic blood disorder for everyone. From those living with thalassemia, to anyone wanting to understand it better.Thalassemia affects how the body makes hemoglobin, which can lead to anemia. It’s inherited from both parents, so understanding your genetics is key. Treatments often include regular blood trans
Episode 2: Thalassemia: Building Resilience with Kostas Tsurlis
Today, we are talking about resilience with Kostas Tsurlis from Nuremberg, Germany. He is 53 and living with TDT (transfusion-dependent thalassemia). He discusses how the challenges he has faced have built resilience and made him a stronger person by helping others.In his words: “Over the last three decades, I have been active in thalassemia matters, and I became an expert patient. Over the years,
Episode 1: Thalassemia International Day, Patient Voices, May 8, 2025
On this episode of It's in Our Blood:We are excited to launch our very first episode on International Thalassaemia Day, May 8- a day dedicated to raising awareness and honoring the global thalassaemia community. In this episode, you’ll hear from people living with thalassaemia around the world as they share how the condition has shaped their lives, the lessons they’ve learned , and their hopes for
