Bleeding Disorders Awareness Month
March is Bleeding Disorders Awareness Month, sponsored by the Hemophilia Federation of America, which is a national nonprofit organization that assists, educates and advocates for the bleeding disorders community.
In 1986, President Ronald Reagan designated the month of March as "National Hemophilia Month." For the past 30 years, the bleeding disorders community has been unofficially using March as a platform to raise awareness about all types of bleeding disorders. In recent years, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has recognized March as Bleeding Disorders Awareness Month to be inclusive of all bleeding disorders, not just hemophilia.
People are born with hemophilia and bleed longer than others, not faster. Hemophilia occurs when a clotting factor (protein in the blood) is missing. Normal clotting factor levels are between 50 to 150 percent, but someone with hemophilia will have clotting factor levels ranging from 49 to less than 1 percent. Hemophilia cannot spread like a virus or an infection. Currently there is no cure, but there is treatment. Acquired hemophilia is the exception and is extremely rare. Acquired hemophilia usually develops as a result of illness, medications or pregnancy, and most cases resolve with proper diagnosis and treatment. Read more about hemophilia.
A person living with hemophilia, or other types of bleeding disorders, can bleed longer inside or outside of the body. However, the most common types of bleeds are into the joints and muscles. Many use the following words to describe what internal bleeding feels like: intense pain, burning, bubbling, or tingling (like when a body part "falls asleep"). The area may become swollen and sometimes the skin is red, warm, and shiny. Read more about bleeding disorders.
This month is the Hemophilia Federation of America and their community’s time to shine and to raise awareness of the group of rare bleeding disorders.
Source: The HFA website and HFA Facebook