World Hemophilia Day ― The Many Faces of Bleeding Disorders

United to achieve Treatment for All

Participation in this international event can help raise awareness and support for your local bleeding disorders organization.

World Hemophilia Day is celebrated around the world on April 17 to increase awareness of hemophilia and other inherited bleeding disorders. This year’s theme is “The Many Faces of Bleeding Disorders – United to Achieve Treatment for All”.

The original handful of modest gatherings in 1989 has blossomed into a global event now celebrated among 113 WFH member countries. From Spain to Sudan, China to the Czech Republic, the USA to Uzbekistan, and Canada to Cameroon, the global bleeding disorders community comes together to celebrate.
French Hemophilia Association's World Hemophilia Day
event in 2009

April 17 was chosen by the WFH to honor its founder Frank Schnabel, who was born on this day. World Hemophilia Day serves to commemorate Schnabel’s achievements, and extends his personal mission to improve global care for people with hemophilia.

As part of this extension, World Hemophilia Day now embraces all inherited bleeding disorders and is used to increase public awareness, educate patients, attract volunteers, raise funds, and lobby for improved treatment and care.

The day’s media appeal as a news story enables participating groups to generate widespread coverage of many different events. These include workshops, art exhibitions, walkathons, family days, information booths, sporting competitions, debates with health officials and even street demonstrations.

“While the events are far ranging, they all share the same purpose,” says WFH President Mark Skinner. “World Hemophilia Day has been a great way to boost support for comprehensive care for patients with bleeding disorders in both developing and developed countries.”

“We know that patients in many developing countries have inadequate care with tragic results,” he says. “But even in the developed world we cannot be complacent because healthcare spending is under scrutiny and threatened with budget cuts due to the downturn in the global economy.”

“Participation in World Hemophilia Day helps keep the needs of those with bleeding disorders in the forefront.”

The World Federation of Hemophilia provides communication tools to help members participate in World Hemophilia Day. Resources include news release templates, media liaison tips, generic posters, and other informational material that can be adapted for local needs. (For details, visit www.wfh.org/whd.)

In addition to its support of grass roots efforts, the WFH also promotes the event on an international level. For example, World Hemophilia Day 2009 included a video podcast, developed with funding from Baxter, on the importance and benefits of comprehensive care for people with bleeding disorders. Thousands of people from over 136 countries have clicked on the video at www.wfh.org/whd.

On April 17, 2010, the WFH will launch the “Many Faces of Bleeding Disorders” video podcast. Visit www.wfh.org/whd for more information, and to view the video trailer.

The “Many Faces of Bleeding Disorders” campaign is part of the WFH’s continuing efforts to achieve Treatment for All for people with inherited bleeding disorders around the world.

November 2009