By Sarah Ford, World Federation of Hemophilia

On World Hemophilia Day 2010, April 17, meet “The Many Faces of Bleeding Disorders”. Reflecting the World Federation of Hemophilia’s expansion of its mission to embrace all inherited bleeding disorders, this year’s theme focuses on the different types of bleeding disorders. Hemophilia and lesser known bleeding disorders impact hundreds of thousands of people of all ethnicities, education levels and incomes, their families and their communities. 

The focus for this World Hemophilia Day is on dispelling myths about inherited bleeding disorders. Many people are not even aware that: 

▪        bleeding disorders can affect both men and women;

▪        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; and

▪        most people with bleeding disorders around the world do not have access to adequate diagnosis and treatment.

What is World Hemophilia Day?

Since 1989, World Hemophilia Day has been observed globally on April 17, the birth date of the World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH) founder Frank Schnabel. This awareness day is used to increase public awareness, educate patients, attract volunteers, raise funds, and advocate for improved treatment and care. World Hemophilia Day has grown into a global event that is now celebrated among 113 WFH member countries. 

“While the events are far ranging, they all share the same purpose,” said WFH president Mark Skinner. “World Hemophilia Day is a great way to raise awareness and support people with bleeding disorders in both developing and developed countries.”

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61st Annual Meeting Registration Now Open—Register Early, Save Money

The National Hemophilia Foundation (NHF) is pleased to announce that its 61st Annual Meeting will be held in San Francisco, CA, October 29-31, 2009. “Building Bridges” is our theme for the three-day gathering of consumers, providers, industry representatives and others. Read the rest of this entry »

Wyeth and Advocacy Community Mark Continued Commitment to Patient Care on World Hemophilia Day

Collegeville, Pa. (ANTARA News/PRNewswire-AsiaNet) — In honor of the twentieth Anniversary of World Hemophilia Day, Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, a division of Wyeth (NYSE: WYE), together with the World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH), announce the addition of five new partnerships to the WFH Twinning Program. Begun in 1994, the Twinning Program aims to increase the level of diagnosis and care for people with hemophilia by pairing emerging treatment centers and patient organizations with more established centers and organizations around the world. Wyeth has been the sole corporate sponsor of the program since 2001, which now includes a total of 31 partnerships worldwide.

“Wyeth recognizes that effective collaboration between advocacy organizations and industry can help people with chronic illnesses such as hemophilia,” says Angela Rossetti, Assistant Vice President, and Global Business Manager for Wyeth Hemophilia. “Our continued support of the Twinning Program — now in its 16th year — and other advocacy initiatives is part of a global collaborative effort designed to help patients with hemophilia and their families receive access to better care.”
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