THUNDER BAY – You may have heard of hemophilia but did you know that there are many other inherited bleeding disorders? Dr. Nicole Laferriere, Hematologist with Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, says patients with blood disorders in Northwestern Ontario are fortunate to have access to the highest standard of care for these conditions.
“A comprehensive Hemophelia Care program is an international gold standard in providing care for people with bleeding disorders. Such a program did not exist in our region until three years ago. Now, we are able to provide the best possible care for these patients, and provide that care close to home,” she says.
Here is a list of the more common inherited bleeding disorders:
? von Willebrand disease is the most common bleeding disorder;
? carriers of hemophilia can also experience bleeding complications;
? women might not know they have a bleeding disorder until they experience complications with childbirth;
? most people around the world with bleeding disorders do not have access to adequate diagnosis and treatment.
April 17 is World Hemophilia Day 2010. Each year hemophilia organizations around the world celebrate World Hemophilia Day, increasing awareness of hemophilia and other bleeding disorders.
Most people around the world with bleeding disorders do not have access to adequate diagnosis and treatment.
“The goal of the World Federation of Hemophilia is that, one day, treatment will be available for all those with inherited bleeding disorders, regardless of where they live,” said Mark Skinner, World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH) president. “Our vision of Treatment for All means expanding services beyond hemophilia, to those with von Willebrand disease, rare factor deficiencies, and inherited platelet disorders.”
On April 17 this year, the WFH will launch the “Many Faces of Bleeding Disorders” video podcast, visit www.wfh.org/whd The video was made possible with funding from Baxter Healthcare Corporation.
“The Many Faces of Bleeding Disorders” campaign is part of the WFH’s continuing efforts to improve care for people with inherited bleeding disorders around the world.