UAE teen defies thalassemia, graduates high school after bone marrow transplant

When Al Harith Hameed Al Mansouri was just a few months old, his family received devastating news that would shape the next 17 years of their lives. Their infant son had been diagnosed with thalassemia, a hereditary blood disorder that would require regular hospital visits, blood transfusions, and an uncertain future.

Today, against all odds, Al Harith stands as a proud high school graduate, Class of 2025, from Ras Al Khaimah, as a beacon of hope for families facing similar challenges across the UAE.

"Despite the health challenges I went through, I was able to achieve this accomplishment thanks to God, the support of my family and my country," said the Emirati teen.

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The 17-year-old's journey from a hospital bed to the graduation stage is more than just a personal triumph. It represents the power of unwavering family support, the excellence of the UAE's healthcare system, and, most importantly, the indomitable spirit of a young man who refused to let his condition define his future.

Al Harith celebrates graduation with his family and doctor.

Thalassemia is a hereditary blood disorder that causes a deficiency in haemoglobin production, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout the body. 

For Al Harith, this meant a childhood punctuated by regular hospital visits every two to three weeks for blood transfusions, along with ongoing treatment, injections, and medications that became as routine as attending school.

The condition affects thousands of people worldwide, with the Middle East having one of the highest prevalence rates due to genetic factors. 

In the UAE, the government has established specialised centres to provide comprehensive care for thalassemia patients, recognising the long-term commitment required to manage this chronic condition.

"The treatment period was difficult, but I didn't let the illness stop me," Al Harith said. "I would review my lessons from my phone or laptop even while in the hospital, and my mother was always with me, reading to me and helping me with my studies, staying up with me so I wouldn't miss the school year."

A life-changing transplant

After years of managing his condition through regular transfusions and medications, Al Harith's medical journey took a dramatic turn when he became eligible for a bone marrow transplant. 

The donor was someone very close to home: his sister, who stepped forward to give her brother what he describes as "a new life." Al Harith expressed deep gratitude for his sister: "She donated her bone marrow to me, gave me a new life, may God reward her."

After a long treatment journey, he was able to undergo a bone marrow transplant at the Yas Clinic – Khalifa City and Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Center. The bone marrow transplant represents one of the most significant medical interventions available for patients with thalassemia. 

The procedure involves replacing the patient's diseased bone marrow with healthy marrow from a compatible donor, potentially offering a cure for the condition. 

However, the process is complex, requiring extensive preparation, careful matching, and months of recovery.

For Al Harith, the transplant was not just a medical procedure but a gateway to a future he had only dared to dream about. The possibility of living without the constant need for blood transfusions, of attending school without frequent medical interruptions, and of pursuing his ambitions without the limitations imposed by his condition suddenly became real.

Al Harith's graduation celebration

Education through adversity

The support from his school administration proved crucial during this challenging period. Led by Khadija Al Shamili, the school staff went above and beyond to ensure that Al Harith could continue his education despite his medical challenges. 

Teachers, including Hanadi Al Nuaimi, Naema Al Shahi, and Jasim Al Hammadi, all played significant roles in supporting his academic journey.

Al Harith expressed gratitude to his school administration, led by Khadija Al Shamili, who ensured he could continue his studies. He also thanked teachers Hanadi Al Nuaimi, Naema Al Shahi, and Jasim Al Hammadi, all of whom played major roles in supporting him throughout his educational journey.

A network of unwavering support

Behind Al Harith's remarkable achievement stands a network of supporters whose dedication and care made his success possible. At the centre of this network is his family, whose love and sacrifice created the foundation for his resilience.

"My mother was my second soul during this period," Al Harith said, his voice filled with emotion. "She never left me, stayed up with me, stood by me moment by moment. My father was my support and always lifted my spirits."

His mother's dedication went beyond typical parental care. She became his study partner, reading to him during hospital stays and helping him review lessons when he was too weak to focus on his own. 

Her presence provided not just practical support but emotional stability during the most challenging moments of his treatment.

The family's commitment extended to his siblings, who provided moral support throughout his journey. "My brothers and sisters stood by me emotionally at every moment," Al Harith said. "Their support was beyond description."

Beyond his immediate family, Al Harith received support from prominent figures in the UAE community. Counsellor and National Council Member Sultan bin Yaqoub Al Zaabi provided significant support and encouragement throughout his journey.

Al Harith gave special thanks to Sultan bin Yaqoub Al Zaabi, who stood by him and provided great support throughout his journey.

The medical support Al Harith received was equally comprehensive. The Dubai Thalassemia Center, which had been part of his life since childhood, provided not just medical care but emotional support and encouragement throughout his treatment journey.

Al Harith expressed deep gratitude to the Dubai Thalassemia Center, which has been with him since childhood, from the beginning of his treatment journey, and played a major role in supporting him and helping him continue. 

He gave special thanks to Dr. Najm for his care and attention, as well as the administration and all the medical staff, who never fell short with him and were always a source of safety and encouragement.

Dreams of healing others

Al Harith's experience as a patient has profoundly shaped his vision for the future. Rather than being deterred by his years of medical treatment, he has been inspired to pursue a healthcare career, specifically as a radiology specialist.

"My dream is to become a radiology specialist," Al Harith said with conviction. "I want to enter the medical field because I lived through suffering and know what it means for a patient to be in pain. I want to help patients, to be a reason for alleviating their pain, just as God provided people who eased my burden."

His choice of radiology as a speciality is significant. Radiology plays a crucial role in diagnosing and monitoring conditions like thalassemia, and Al Harith's personal experience with the field gives him unique insight into the patient's perspective. 

Perhaps the most powerful aspect of Al Harith's story is not just his personal triumph, but his commitment to advocating for others facing similar challenges. 

Having lived with thalassemia for 17 years, he has developed a deep understanding of the unique difficulties faced by patients with this condition, particularly the misconceptions and discrimination they often encounter.

"I lived the thalassemia experience in all its details, and I know exactly how patients suffer in silence," Al Harith said "The problem is that thalassemia patients don't show fatigue externally, which makes some people think they are in perfect health, but the reality is completely different."

Al Harith in his hospital

Invisible disability

This invisible nature of thalassemia creates unique challenges for patients. Unlike more visible disabilities or conditions, thalassemia's impact is largely internal, making it difficult for others to understand the daily struggles patients face. 

The regular fatigue, the need for frequent medical appointments, and the long-term health implications are not immediately apparent to casual observers.

"Unfortunately, many institutions don't look at thalassemia patients the same way they look at people of determination," Al Harith explained. "When they apply for jobs, they are excluded as soon as their health condition is known, despite being capable of achieving and excelling if given the opportunity."

His advocacy extends beyond personal experience to a broader call for systemic change. "My message to officials is to look at this group fairly and give them their right to work and live with dignity," he said. "They have gone through difficult experiences and are still resilient. I am one of them, and I hope to be a voice that conveys their suffering and to have a role in bringing about change."

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