Jemin Popat has lived with Beta Thalassemia Major, a life limiting inherited blood disorder, since he was just 11 weeks old. Jemin has endured more than 900 blood transfusions, 2,000 hospital visits and over 7,000 needles.
Jemin’s parents were told when he was diagnosed that he would not survive past the age of 4. Today Jemin is 43, has built a successful business, raised a family, and continues to contribute to his community - despite chronic daily pain and the ongoing demands of treatment.
Jemin has never let his condition define him. He is an entrepreneur and business leader with over 20 years’ experience supporting more than 4,500 high growth companies across Wales, the UK and internationally. Alongside running his own business, he is a Relationship Manager for Business Wales, sharing his expertise to help others succeed.
Jemin often organises business meetings around hospital visits and writes emails and reports while having his blood transfusions, which take place every two to three weeks, at his local hospital in Cardiff.
Despite his best efforts, Jemin operates with the ‘handbrake on.’ He has chosen not to expand his business, knowing the demands would take a toll on his health and limit the time he needs to stay healthy and well. He has turned down new opportunities, resisted hiring more staff, and delayed moving into new markets.
Even with his positive mindset, Jemin is realistic about the impact of Thalassemia. Regular hospital visits and the daily challenges mean he must carefully weigh how many people, and how much responsibility, he can take on.
This new treatment could allow Jemin to transform his future, grow his business, live healthier and for longer. It is not without risk: chemotherapy, isolation in a London hospital, a long road to recovery, time away from his son and the financial strain of pausing work. The potential benefits however would allow him to return to his work and family life unconstrained from the needs of regular, time intensive, hospital visits and chronic pain.
Jemin is determined to thrive, not just survive, and to inspire other patients, and their families, with life limiting conditions like Thalassemia.
At the time of writing Jemin is on a mission to lose weight and get fit. He is by no means assured to be offered this brand new treatment but wants to put himself in the best position possible when his case is reviewed by an expert panel.
I’m excited by the prospect of gaining significant time and energy, free from the relentless struggles of Thalassemia.
Jemin Popat
I often feel like my wings are clipped, but now I could really fly. I can be the father, entrepreneur, son and business mentor I really want to be. I’d use this new superpower to give back to society and help others realise their hopes and ambitions.
Chronic pain has never been an excuse for me not to give 100% to my clients, or to be there for my three-year-old son, but as each year passes it gets increasingly more difficult. Now I want the chance to live fully, be there for my son as he grows up and not constantly worry about the inevitable decline I see in older Thalassemia Patients, I have one life, one son and one chance at a potential cure.
Jemin’s lived experience has shaped a deep passion for helping others and promoting a positive, resilient mindset in the face of adversity.
Find out more about the study.