Prese Release: March is Hemophilia Awareness Month

Link to PDF of Hemophilia Awareness Month Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 12, 2012

HFA Celebrates National Hemophilia Awareness Month

March is Designated to Create Public Awareness about Bleeding Disorders

Washington, D.C. – In 1986, President Ronald Regan designated the month of March as Hemophilia Awareness Month to bring awareness and attention to those living with a bleeding disorder.  Hemophilia Federation of America (HFA) along with chapter organizations across the country commemorates March as National Hemophilia Awareness Month.
“National Hemophilia Awareness Month helps to bring public awareness about bleeding disorders and encourage the development of improved treatment,” said Kimberly Haugstad, Executive Director of HFA.  “We are committed to addressing the evolving needs of the bleeding disorders community to help create a better quality of life for all persons with bleeding disorders.”
HFA encourages member organizations and patients affected by a bleeding disorders to spread the word about Hemophilia Awareness Month by posting messages on Facebook, Twitter, giving presentations in schools, and sharing information with their family and friends.
About Bleeding Disorders
Bleeding disorders are a group of conditions in which there is a problem with the body’s blood clotting process.  These disorders can lead to heavy and prolonged bleeding, either spontaneously or after an injury.  Individuals with bleeding disorders lead productive lives with regular and ongoing access to needed treatments, therapies and when specialized medical professionals are available.
About Hemophilia
Hemophilia is a sex-linked, hereditary blood clotting disorder that affects about 19,000 people nation-wide.  In about one-third of the cases, there is no family history of the disorder.  The underlying cause is missing or deficient protein — known as factor –that is needed for blood to clot.  The bleeding can occur spontaneously and/or after injury. Bleeding episodes may be external or internal into joints, muscles, the abdominal cavity, the brain, and other organs.  Untreated bleeds can lead to crippling deformities of the joints or life threatening bleeds within the body.  Currently, there is no cure.
About von Willebrand
Von Willebrand Disease (vWD) is an inherited bleeding disorder with similarities to hemophilia.  About 1-2% of the U.S. population — over 4.5 million people — are believed to have the condition.  vWD is caused by a decreased or defective function of a protein called von Willebrand factor, which is necessary for normal blood clotting and affects men and women.
Contact: Richard Pezzillo (202)-675-6984 r.pezzillo@hemophiliafed.org

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The Hemophilia Federation of America is a national 501(c) (3) organization consisting of more than 30 member organizations and numerous individual members who offer assistance and grassroots advocacy on behalf of the bleeding disorders community.   Incorporated in 1994, the HFA provides programs and services to improve the quality of life for persons with hemophilia, von Willebrand disease (VWD) and other rare bleeding disorders.

For more information, visit our website at www.hemophiliafed.org or call 1-800-230-9797.