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Present, hundreds of thousands of people in our nation and around the world observe World AIDS Day to increase knowledge about HIV and AIDS. World Aids Day was established in 1988 by the World Health Organization (WHO) to ensure renewed and continual attention to the threat posed by HIV and AIDS. The Center for Disease and Control (CDC) estimates that over 1 million people in the United States are currently living with the HIV disease. HFNC observes and acknowledges this day to honor all the hemophilia organization members who contracted HIV and Hepatitis C after injecting contaminated anti-hemophilic clotting factor prior to 1985. Nearly 10,000 people with hemophilia contracted HIV and Hepatitis C during this time; more than 8,000 have died. “In honor of our fallen organization members and those who still fighting with co-morbidities from contaminated products, we provide gratitude for your heroic diligence and sacrifice in ensuring a relatively safe blood supply for all,” said Merlin Wedepohl, HFNC, Executive Director. “This annual event focuses attention on the importance of comprehensive health care. Such care is at the heart of major variations currently happening to our health care system, and can impact families positively.” Absolute care is vital and necessary to treating the physical, emotional, psychological, social, and educational needs of people with hemophilia and other bleeding disorders. About Bleeding Disorders: Bleeding disorders are a group of conditions in which there is a problem with the body’s blood clotting process. These disorders can lead to heavy and prolonged bleeding, either spontaneously or after an injury. Approximately 3 to 5 million Americans have a bleeding disorders, along about 20,000 with hemophilia. In Northern California nearly 2000 have a bleeding disorder. Worldwide, one in 1,000 women and men have a bleeding disorder. However, 75 percent still receive very insufficient treatment or no treatment at all. Bleeding disorders can affect all ethnic and economic groups. Hemophilia and von Willebrand Disease (vWD) are two of the most common types of bleeding disorders and are lifelong, genetic illnesses in which one of the proteins needed to form blood clots is missing or reduced. About Hemophilia: Hemophilia is a sex-linked, hereditary blood clotting disorder. The underlying cause is missing or deficient protein — known as factor — that is needed for blood to clot. The bleeding can occur spontaneously and/or after injury. Bleeding episodes may be external or internal into joints, muscles, the abdominal cavity, brain, and other organs. Untreated bleeds can lead to crippling deformities of the joints or life threatening bleeds within the body. Currently, there is no cure, and medication needed to treat the disorder typically costs $60,000 to $300,000 annually per person.
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