World Haemophilia Day 2023

Every year on 17 April World Haemophilia Day is recognised worldwide to increase awareness of haemophilia, von Willebrand disease and other inherited bleeding disorders. This is a critical effort since with increased awareness comes better diagnosis and access to care for the millions who remain without treatment.

World Haemophilia Day was started in 1989 by the World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH), which chose 17 April as the day to bring the community together in honour of WFH founder Frank Schnabel’s birthday.

This year the international theme is “Access for All: Prevention of bleeds as the global standard of care”. The aim is to improve access to treatment and care with an emphasis on better control and prevention of bleeds for all people with bleeding disorders. This means making home-based treatment available as well as prophylaxis treatment to help people with bleeding disorders to have a better quality of life.

Did you know, WFH estimates that over 65% of people living with haemophilia worldwide have not yet been identified and diagnosed.

The World Federation of Hemophilia, with the support of volunteers from around the world, does remarkable work to improve access to diagnosis, treatment, care and support for people with bleeding disorders in less well-resourced countries with their GAP and Twinning Programs and the Cornerstone Initiative. HFA is currently connected with the Myanmar Haemophilia Patient Association as a part of the WFH Twinning Program.

Haemophilia Foundation Australia is a WFH member organisation and many Australian volunteers have been involved with WFH programs. HFA has supported many programs over the years and participated in the WFH Twinning Program and various committees that work to achieve the objectives of WFH.

In Australia, our community is fortunate to have access to a range of treatments, care and services. During recent times, some new haemophilia therapies available in Australia have led to fewer or no bleeds and greatly improved the quality of life of those who have been able to use them. We look forward to more novel therapies in the future for everyone.

We have many locations and landmarks over Australia Lighting up Red in support of World Haemophilia Day. There are more to come, keep an eye out and share photos on our social media platforms.

ACT	Telstra Tower
	The Carillion
	The Australian Mint, Deakin
NSW	Newcastle City Hall Clock Tower
	Port Macquarie Town Square
NT	TBC
QLD	Brisbane
	Breakfast Creek Bridge, Newstead
	Brisbane City Town Hall
	Gateway Bridge
	Ipswich Civic Centre
	King George Square
	Kurilpa Bridge
	Parliament House, Brisbane
	Reddacliff Place sculptures
	Sandgate Town Hall
	Story Bridge
	Treasury Casino, Brisbane
	Victoria Bridge
	Water Towers
	Wickham Terrace Car Park architectural wall
	Cairns
	Court House Gallery
	Maranoa
	CBD Tree Lights, Maranoa
	Rockhampton
	Heritage Façade Council building
	Stanthorpe
	Stanthorpe Administration Building
	Toowoomba
	Victoria Bridge
	Townsville
	Central Park Boardwalk
	George Roberts Bridge
	Little Fletcher Bridge
	Old Magistrates Court House
	Townsville Sign
	Victoria Bridge
	Wharton Reef Lighthouse
	Warwick
	Town Hall Warwick Clock Face
	Warwick Town Hall roof lights
SA	Adelaide Oval
	The new Riverbank lighting feature
TAS	West Point Tower
	Tasman Bridge
	Festive Lights, Hobart Launceston Town Hall
VIC	Ballarat Town Hall
	Bolte Bridge
	Drum Theatre Building, Dandenong
	Geelong intersection Moorabool & Malop St Geelong
WA	Council House Matagarup Bridge Trafalgar Bridge

Date last reviewed: 22 March 2023