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.
In 2024 the international theme is “Equitable access for all: recognizing all bleeding disorders”. The World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH) vision of Treatment for All is for a world where all people with inherited bleeding disorders have access to care, regardless of their type of bleeding disorder, gender, age, or where they live.
Did you know, WFH estimates that over 75% 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.
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.
SHARE YOUR STORY
Discover stories about how bleeding disorders have affected people and their loved ones and share your own on the WFH Share Your Story page.
WORLD HAEMOPHILIA DAY ACTIVITIES
Get everyone involved in raising awareness for World Haemophilia Day with the print-at-home colouring in sheet, or test your knowledge of bleeding disorders with the quiz. You can also update your profile picture on social media to show your support.
LIGHT IT UP RED
In 2023, we had many locations and landmarks over Australia Lighting up Red in support of World Haemophilia Day. We’re working hard on finding locations for 2024 – if you have any suggestions please send us an email on hfaust@haemophilia.org.au.
Check out the locations Lighting up Red for 2024
Click your state to see what landmarks will be Lighting up Red for World Haemophilia Day 2024:
Australian Capital Territory
- The Australian Mint
- Canberra Times Fountain
- Malcolm Fraser Bridge
- Telstra Tower
New South Wales
- Manly Town Hall
- Newcastle City Hall Clock Tower
- Port Macquarie Glasshouse
- Rouse Hill Town Centre Fountains
Northern Territory
- City of Palmerston (Palmerston Water Tower and Frances Drive Light Pole)
- Darwin Civic Centre
Queensland
Brisbane
- Story Bridge
- Reddacliff Place sculptures
- Wickham Terrace Car Park architectural wall
- Breakfast Creek Bridge, Newstead
- Gateway Bridge and any other structure
- Treasury Casino, Brisbane
- Government House
- Parliament House
- Kurilpa Bridge
- Customs House
- Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre
Logan
- Water Towers –
- Wineglass Drive Hillcrest,
- Telfer St Shailer Park,
- Brookvale Dr Underwood
Ipswich
- Ipswich Civic Centre
- 1NS
Toowoomba
- Victoria Bridge, Toowoomba
- The Annex
Warwick
- Town Hall Warwick Clock Face
- Warwick Town Hall roof lights
Stanthorpe
- Stanthorpe Administration Building
Maranoa
- CBD Tree Lights, Maranoa
Rockhampton
- Heritage Façade Council building
Mackay
- Sir Albert Abbott Administration Building
- Library Kiosks
Cairns
- Court House Gallery
Townsville
- Townsville Sign
- Victoria Bridge
- Wharton Reef Lighthouse
- Old Magistrates Court House
- George Roberts Bridge
- Flinders Square
- Central Park Boardwalk
- Little Fletcher Bridge
South Australia
- Parliament House
- Riverbank lighting feature
Tasmania
- Launceston Town Hall
- Tasman Bridge
- Wrest Point Tower
Victoria
- AAMI Park
- Bolte Bridge
- Ballarat Clock and Fountain
- Drum Theatre Building, Dandenong
- Greater Shepparton:
- Monash Park Tree
- Mooroopna Water Tower
- Riverlinks Eastbank
- Geelong intersection Moorabool & Malop St Geelong
- Glen Waverley Civic Centre
- Kingston City Clock Tower
Western Australia
- Arrol Crane at Jetty Road
- Bell Tower
- Council House
- Fraser Avenue Tree Lights
- Guppy Park
- Joondalup Bridge
- Koolambidi Woola
- Koombana Bay Footbridge
- Koombana Bay Foreshore
- Marlston Hill Lookout – Bunbury x 9
- Marlston Waterfront
- Matagarup Bridge
- Mount Street Bridge
- Navigators at the Koombana Drive roundabout
- Northbridge Tunnel
- Richmond Reserve
- Sky Ribbon
- Trafalgar Bridge
Quickly see which locations are lighting up red in your state or territory. Open the interactive map.
World Haemophilia Day 2023
Below are some photos from 2023! Thank you so much to everyone for sending through your photos.
