Muhammad Ilham Shah Rizal Shah

Thalassemia is a genetic blood disorder that can cause lifelong anemia, depending on its severity. It is a major health problem in Malaysia. The public's poor knowledge of the disorder creates misconceptions and stigma around it and those who have it.

My project aims to raise public awareness of thalassemia among Malaysian teens aged 15 to 17. This will remove the stigma within future generations and reduce the prevalence of thalassemia in the Malaysian population.

Thus, I have designed a product-system called Thalass Mania. It is a school event designed to raise awareness about thalassemia through play. This allows the students to learn about thalassemia in a fun and engaging manner.

Thalass Mania

The event consists of a digital and physical game. Players will use their knowledge of thalassemia to complete challenges. This event will reduce the stigma around thalassemia and promote screening for it.

Event Journeymap

The Thalass Mania event starts with Thalass Mania: Digital Discovery (Digital game). After completion, students can move on to Thalass Mania: Manage It! (Physical Game). The games will also be on the market with profits funding thalassemia treatments: blood transfusions, iron chelation therapy, and iron-folic supplements. This will ease the financial burden of individuals living with thalassemia and their families.

Thalass Mania: DNA Discovery - Overview

Thalass Mania: DNA Discovery is a game about the biology of thalassemia. This covers topics such as the nature of thalassemia and its underlying causes. This will ensure students have a thorough understanding of the disorder. This is essential before moving on to the next game.

Thalass Mania: DNA Discovery - How to Play

Thalass Mania: DNA Discovery is a quiz game for 1 to 4 players. Players race to the finish line by completing challenges. There are a few challenges in the game, which are trivia and puzzles. Trivia entails a multiple-choice question. Puzzle has a few types of questions: fill-in the blanks and sequencing questions. Players will start on the starting space. To advance one space, they must complete a challenge successfully. The final standings will be determined by the order in which the players reach the finish line.

Thalass Mania: Manage It - Overview

Thalass Mania: Manage It is a physical board game. It focuses on individuals living with thalassemia. This game will give students a good understanding of thalassemia management and show the daily challenges faced by those living with the blood disorder.

Thalass Mania: Manage It - How To Play

Thalass Mania: Manage It is a board game for 1 to 4 players. Players race to collect 10 unique resource cards. Resource cards represent different management resources an individual living with thalassemia might require. Players will navigate the board using a die and complete challenges to earn a resource card. There are 3 main types of challenges: Trivia, Puzzle, and Activity. Trivia and Puzzle are the same as DNA Discovery. Activities are challenges where players engage in various physical tasks. The final standings will be based on the order players collect 10 unique resource cards.

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