The Many Faces of Bleeding Disorders: United Together on World Hemophilia Day
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You may have heard of hemophilia but did you know that there are many other inherited bleeding disorders?
- Bleeding disorders can affect both males and females;
- von Willebrand disease is the most common bleeding disorder;
- Carriers of hemophilia can also experience bleeding complications;
- Women might not know they have a bleeding disorder until they experience complications with childbirth;
- Most people around the world with bleeding disorders do not have access to adequate diagnosis and treatment.
On World Hemophilia Day 2010, April 17, meet the many faces of bleeding disorders - united to achieve Treatment for All. Each year hemophilia organizations around the world celebrate World Hemophilia Day, increasing awareness of hemophilia and other bleeding disorders.
As part of World Hemophilia Day, Hemophilia of Georgia will be organizing Brown Bag It! for Care and Treatment, encouraging everyone to take a brown bag lunch to work or school on Friday, April 16 and donate the money they would have spent on lunch to the WFH.
“On World Hemophilia Day we want to spread the message that most people around the world with bleeding disorders do not have access to adequate diagnosis and treatment,” says Hemophilia of Georgia CEO Patricia A. Dominic. “We want to let everyone know that even a small donation can truly make a difference.”
“The goal of the World Federation of Hemophilia is that, one day, treatment will be available for all those with inherited bleeding disorders, regardless of where they live,” said Mark Skinner, World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH) president. “Our vision of Treatment for All means expanding services beyond hemophilia, to those with von Willebrand disease, rare factor deficiencies, and inherited platelet disorders.”
On April 17 this year, the WFH will launch the “Many Faces of Bleeding Disorders” video podcast. Visit www.wfh.org/whd for more information and to view the new video podcast trailer. This video was made possible with funding from Baxter Healthcare Corporation.
“The Many Faces of Bleeding Disorders” campaign is part of the WFH’s continuing efforts to improve care for people with inherited bleeding disorders around the world.
About hemophilia and other bleeding disorders
Hemophilia, von Willebrand disease, and other factor deficiencies are lifelong bleeding disorders that prevent blood from clotting properly. People with bleeding disorders do not have enough of a particular clotting factor, a protein in blood that controls bleeding, or it does not work properly. The severity of a person’s bleeding disorder usually depends on the amount of clotting factor that is missing or not working. People with hemophilia can experience uncontrolled internal bleeding that can result from a seemingly minor injury. Bleeding into joints and muscles causes severe pain and disability. Bleeding into major organs, such as the brain, can cause death.
About Hemophilia of Georgia
Hemophilia of Georgia is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing services and support for Georgians who have hemophilia, von Willebrand Disease, and other inherited bleeding disorders. The only agency of its kind in the state, Hemophilia of Georgia works to enhance clients’ care and quality of life while actively pursuing a cure through research funding. HoG’s nonprofit pharmacy provides convenient home delivery of clotting factor and other medications at competitive prices. Hemophilia of Georgia exists so that people in Georgia affected by bleeding disorders live as normally and productively as possible. Additional information is available online at www.hog.org.
About the World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH)
The World Federation of Hemophilia is an international not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of people with hemophilia and related bleeding disorders. Established in 1963, it is a global network of patient organizations in 113 countries and has official recognition from the World Health Organization. Visit WFH online at www.wfh.org.