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Awareness
Inspiration
Thalassemia patients need lifelong blood transfusions, and in emergencies, finding a matching donor is often a race against time. We were inspired to build a platform that not only connects donors with patients quickly but also raises awareness and makes life-saving care more accessible through the power of technology.
What it does
Our platform collects both donor and blood request data, matches patients with compatible donors based on blood group, and sends automated WhatsApp alerts to notify potential donors instantly. It also features Thalassemia awareness pages, an intelligent chatbot for FAQs, and an interactive map to locate nearby hospitals or treatment centers.
How we built it
We built the frontend using HTML, CSS, Bootstrap, and JavaScript for clean and responsive user interfaces. The backend uses Django to handle API routes, logic, and database operations. PostgreSQL stores donor and request data. We integrated the WhatsApp Cloud API to send alerts and used Google Maps API to embed hospital locations. The chatbot is rule-based and designed to answer common Thalassemia questions.
Challenges we ran into
One major challenge was integrating WhatsApp alerts securely and efficiently. Matching donors in real time while maintaining privacy was tricky. Creating a simple, intuitive interface for users under stress, especially for patients' families, also required thoughtful design. Lastly, setting up backend deployment with PostgreSQL required careful handling of connections and environment variables.
Accomplishments that we're proud of
We’re proud that the platform successfully connects donors with patients in need with just one click. Implementing real-time WhatsApp alerts was a big win, as it turns donor matching into immediate action. We also take pride in making medical information accessible through the awareness pages and chatbot, empowering users with knowledge and support.
What we learned
We learned how to build a complete full-stack application with real-world health impact. From setting up database schemas to integrating APIs like WhatsApp and Google Maps, we gained hands-on experience in designing for users who need clarity and speed. Most importantly, we understood the human side of tech — how even a small feature like an alert can make a huge difference.
What's next for Thalassemia Support: A Blood Support Platform
We plan to add donor verification, SMS/Email notifications as fallback options, and hospital booking integration for smoother patient experience. We also aim to train an AI chatbot on real patient data and expand support to other chronic blood disorders like sickle cell anemia.
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