Living with thalassemia, Koya worker refuses to let illness define his life

ERBIL — Rasper Handren, a 27-year-old from Koya district, has lived with thalassemia since he was three months old, but says he is determined not to let the condition limit his life or isolate him from society.

“I don’t want my illness to isolate me from society. I want to live like anyone else,” he told 964media.

Rasper said that as he grew older he chose to confront his condition with strength. He recalled that his father once offered to support him financially so he would not have to work, but he refused.

“I didn’t want to be dependent. Now I work, and I even help my father,” he said.

Thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder that affects the body’s ability to produce healthy hemoglobin, leading to chronic anemia. Because their bodies cannot make enough functional red blood cells, many patients rely on regular blood transfusions, often every few weeks, to maintain stable hemoglobin levels. Without these transfusions, patients can experience severe fatigue, organ damage and life-threatening complications, making access to safe and consistent blood supplies essential for survival.

Rasper said his condition requires him to avoid exertion, yet he maintains a daily routine at a local car wash.

“My illness needs me not to get tired, but I go to work every day,” he said. Every morning at 8 a.m. he heads to his job and works until noon, then returns again in the afternoon.

Once a month, with the support of his wife, he spends a morning at Shahid Dr. Khalid Hospital receiving a full unit of blood. He rests only briefly before going back to work, and says he encourages others with chronic illnesses to stay strong and keep moving forward.

Health authorities say more than 3,000 people in the Kurdistan Region live with thalassemia.

On Nov. 28, 2025, the Kurdistan Regional Government’s Ministry of Health announced the departure of a fourth group of 52 thalassemia patients, donors and family members for stem cell transplants abroad, following medical evaluations and preparations. The ministry said all travel, accommodation, examinations, surgery and treatment costs are fully covered under a program that supports 140 patients.

The ministry added that 172 patients remain in hospitals and will be included in the next group.