On April 17 Haemophilia Foundation Australia will join the global bleeding disorders community to mark World Hemophilia Day. 

For 2017 the theme is HEAR THEIR VOICES to unite the community and show support for the millions of women and girls affected by bleeding disorders.  Landmarks, buildings and bridges will turn red around the world to recognize them on 17 April.

More than 5,600 Australians have been diagnosed with haemophilia and other bleeding disorders that can be life threatening.¹ Haemophilia is rare and incurable, occurring when people don’t have enough of an essential clotting factor in their blood to control bleeding. Although most people diagnosed are male, females can also have bleeding symptoms and some females have haemophilia. Von Willebrand disorder, which is more common, affects females and males equally. This year we acknowledge the impact of bleeding disorders on women and girls and invite them to tell their story of their experience.

There are approximately 1400 people diagnosed with bleeding disorders in New South Wales.

The SCG is supporting World Haemophilia Day and will turn its lights red, along with many other landmarks around Australia and internationally.

Sydney Swans players, Sam Reid and George Hewett, have worn a Red Tie in support of people with a bleeding disorder.  The tie symbolizes the blood that binds the community.

“We have taken part in the Red Tie Challenge to show our support for the bleeding disorder community during World Haemophilia Day” said Sam Reid, Sydney Swans player.  

April 17 was chosen as World Haemophilia Day in 1989 by the World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH) to celebrate the birthday of its founder, Frank Schnabel.  

What is a bleeding disorder?

Haemophilia

• A rare inherited genetic bleeding disorder where blood doesn’t clot properly because there is not enough of a protein in the blood called factor VIII (8) or IX (9) that controls bleeding
• It’s incurable and can be life threatening without treatment
• Treatment can help prevent repeated bleeding into muscles and joints, which causes arthritis and joint problems
• Most people diagnosed with haemophilia are male
• Some women also have haemophilia and/or bleeding problems
• Men with haemophilia will pass the gene on to their daughters
• Women can carry the gene causing haemophilia and pass it on to their children

Von Willebrand disorder (VWD)

• A bleeding disorder where there is not enough of an essential blood clotting protein (called von Willebrand factor) for blood to clot properly or the factor doesn’t work the way it should
• Both men and women have VWD
• VWD is more common than haemophilia
• In Australia there are more than 5,600 people diagnosed with haemophilia, von Willebrand disorder or other related inherited bleeding disorders. 

Haemophilia Foundation Australia
HFA represents people with haemophilia, von Willebrand disorder and other related bleeding disorders and their families. HFA is committed to improving treatment and care through representation and advocacy, education and the promotion of research. HFA supports a network of State and Territory Foundations in Australia. www.haemophilia.org.au