World Haemophilia Day

6.9 million people worldwide have a bleeding disorder
75 per cent of them do not know it

BUILDING A FAMILY OF SUPPORT

Every April 17, World Haemophilia Day is marked worldwide with the goal of increasing awareness of haemophilia and other inherited bleeding disorders. This is a critical effort – 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) who chose to bring the community together on April 17 in honour of WFH founder Frank Schnabel’s birthday.

Together with other landmarks from around the world, AAMI Park in Melbourne turned red on Friday 17 April to celebrate being united in support. Other significant landmarks included both the Canadian and United States sides of the Niagara Falls.

AAMI Park, Melbourne

Miami Tower, USA	The Prudential Center, Boston, USA
Niagara Falls, Canada/USA	Wrigley Building, Chicago, USA

WFH GLOBAL FAMILY TREE

The theme for 2015 was focused on the importance of Building a Family of Support. In line with the theme, there was a unique opportunity to connect with the global bleeding disorder family on the World Federation of Hemophilia Global Family Tree.

WFH developed a colourful interactive web site of a family tree, where people with bleeding disorders from around the world shared their story and photos. This is a fascinating exploration of life with a bleeding disorder around the world.

The WFH Global Family Tree can be viewed at www.worldhemophiliaday.org

Make sure you visit the HFA branch!