World Haemophilia Day is observed on 17 April. The day aims to increase awareness of haemophilia, von Willebrand disease, and other inherited bleeding disorders. The increased awareness will increase better diagnosis and access to care for the millions who remain without treatment.
Theme:
The theme of 2020 World Haemophilia Day is “Get+involved”. The theme aims to help increase the awareness of inherited bleeding disorders and the need to make access to adequate care possible everywhere in the world.
History:
World Haemophilia Day was initiated by the World Federation of Haemophilia. The day has been observed since 1989 by worldwide patient groups. The date was chosen to honour the birth anniversary of the World Federation of Haemophilia founder Frank Schnabel.
Haemophilia:
Haemophilia is a disorder in which the blood doesn’t clot normally. This disease will cause excessive bleeding after injury damage. The symptoms of the disease include deep bruises, joint pain, and swelling, unexplained bleeding and blood in urine or stool.
Heamophilia is called a “royal disease”. The haemophilia gene was transmitted from Queen Victoria (who became Queen of England in 1837), to the ruling families of Russia, Spain, and Germany. The gene for haemophilia in Queen Victoria was caused by spontaneous mutation.
Haemophilia research began around 1900. The scientists found that human blood could be divided into groups or types. This discovery made blood transfusions much more successful. Scientists learned to separate blood into its major parts, plasma and red cells in 1930. In 1960s Dr. Judith Graham Pool discovered the cryoprecipitate process, which is the best way of stopping hemophilia bleeds ever seen.
