The September 2025 National Haemophilia is now available to read online and in print. In this issue we feature:
- Bleeding Disorders Awareness Month
- Australian Bleeding Disorders Conference 2025
- HFA and hepatitis C
- Emerging therapies in haemophilia and VWD
- Navigating Factor X deficiency
- Transitioning from paediatric to adult care
- Haemophilia, fractures and bone density
- Factored In for Youth: Playing competitive sport
Thank you so much to the community members and health professionals who contribute to National Haemophilia. Your insights and expertise are invaluable.
What’s on for October
With Bleeding Disorders Awareness Month and the Australian Bleeding Disorders Conference only weeks away, you can imagine the buzz in the HFA office.
BDAM promo items were shipped out last week, but we’re still taking orders if you missed getting yours in. You can also head to our website to grab all of the printable resources, including posters, activity sheets, information cards and more. Learn more.
The Conference is around the corner (16-18 October) and the whole team is excited to share what’s planned. In this issue of National Haemophilia, our co-chairs, Dr Simon Browne and Dr Jane Mason share their hopes for the Conference and why they think you should attend. Read it here.
HFA and Hepatitis C
For more than 20 years HFA has conducted hepatitis C advocacy campaigns for our bleeding disorders community. In January 2025, we asked our community with hep C about their current priorities and issues. Results from the survey confirmed that hepatitis C remains a concern for many of those affected in our community. In this issue we share the results of the survey and what HFA is doing next. Read the article.
Emerging therapies in haemophilia and VWD
The International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH) 2025 Congress brought together leading experts, researchers, and clinicians to share the latest advances in bleeding and clotting disorders. In this issue of National Haemophilia, AHCDO ABDR Senior Research Fellow, Ashley Fletcher, provides a summary of emerging treatments in haemophilia and VWD, focusing on innovative treatments that aim to improve patient outcomes and quality of life. Read the report.
Haemophilia, fractures and bone density
Why is low bone density and osteoporosis an issue for people with haemophilia? Will that mean they are more likely to have fractures? What can be done about it? Haemophilia physiotherapist, Abi Polus explains bone density in humans, how it is measured, and why people with haemophlia are more vulnerable to low bone density and the risk of osteoporosis. Find out more.
Sport and bleeding disorders
This issue of National Haemophilia sees a joint feature from two of our community members – Nicola, and her son Will.
Will is 16 years old and plays competitive soccer at an elite level. He speaks about how important it is to keep chasing your passion, and how with the help of his HTC physio he works to keep his joints healthy and avoid bleeds. “I would like people to know that having haemophilia does not impact how I play.”Read Will’s story.
Nicola shares her journey of raising an active, sport-loving son with haemophilia. She speaks about how their local bleeding disorders community, state Foundation, and support from their HTC enabled them to find ways to fulfil their dreams. Read Nicola’s story.
Other news
Also featured in this issue of National Haemophilia, Gavin Finkelstein brings us up to speed on the latest developments, including Twinning with Cambodia, in his President’s Report.
Haemophilia clinical nurses, Jen Dowbnia and Lara Olson talk about Navigating factor X deficiency: a nursing perspective.
Social workers, Angela McGill and Emma Wells talk about moving from paediatric to adult haemophilia care in Don’t get lost in transition.
Finally, we share an update on the PROBE Australia study, asking for your help to find people without a bleeding disorder to complete the survey.
I hope you enjoy reading National Haemophilia.
