Staff at Ajman City Centre hope to raise even more money than last year with their second annual Denim Day charity drive which involves contributors to dress down to work for one day.

The money raised from the dress-down day will go to the Emirates Thalassemia Society to help raise awareness of the condition, which is prevalent in the region, said an official spokesman.

Following the success of the first Denim Day last year, the mall intends this year to extend the campaign to staff at retailers at Ajman City Centre, as well as their Majid Al Futtaim Group colleagues, giving everyone the opportunity to wear jeans to work for one day, in exchange for a donation to the cause. 

The awareness campaign is particularly important in the Emirates, as the condition is common in the region and inherited through genes.

Sufferers end up with a decreased production of important blood cell constituents, which can subsequently affect the transport of essential oxygen from the lungs to different parts of the body. This results in tiredness, weakness, loss of appetite, irritability and frequent infections.

“Thalassemia is seen in almost every country, but it appears to be more prevalent in certain population groups, including those found in the Middle East and Gulf regions,” said general manager, Ajman City Centre, Jassem Al Khaja.

“We are therefore very pleased to partner with the Emirates Thalassemia Society for the second consecutive year to raise awareness of the condition. It is an organisation that does such wonderful work for people who are affected by this illness.” – TradeArabia News Service