April is known to be World Hemophilia month but for ordinary people who don’t know about this blood related hereditary genetic disorders it will just be an ordinary summer month. Good thing there’s the Blood Brothers Aid Inc who gives me the chance to understand Hemophilia and how to be part of the campaign in reaching out to those who suffered this genetic disorder. Coming from the Greek words haima meaning blood and philia meaning love but of course it centers more on blood rather than blood.
Hemophilia again is a blood related hereditary genetic disorder that characterizes by the inability for blood to clot properly where the condition occurs in males more often than in females, and could affect the young as much as the elderly. This medical condition is very rare but the World Federation of Hemophilia states that 75% of people around the world with bleeding disorders have not yet been diagnosed.
In cases like injury, person with hemophilia has the tendency to heal his or her wounds longer because his blood lacks the protein (clotting factor) instrumental in clotting. Symptoms include deep bruising, joint pain and swelling caused by internal bleeding, spontaneous bleeding (e.g. nosebleeds), or prolonged bleeding from cuts, after surgery, or after a tooth extraction. It can be easily diagnosed via blood sampling and measuring the level of clotting factor activity in the blood.
In terms of treatment the main process that specialists do is the replacement therapy. Clotting factor concentrates taken from healthy blood is injected into a hemophiliac’s bloodstream. Once it reaches the affected area, bleeding is expected to slow down and eventually stop. This treatment has to be done shortly after injury so as to avoid further pain, as well as damage to the person’s muscles, joints, and organs. Sadly, here in the Philippines this kind of treatment is not that fully implemented and needed international groups or volunteers ship medicine in from other countries, though supplies are minimal. In the absence of these drugs, a person in need of replacement therapy would require blood or plasma transfusions, and are at the mercy of the limited supply of blood available in hospitals. There are reported incidents of deaths among hemophiliacs due to the long wait for blood donations.
With the Blood Brothers Aid Inc., a non-profit organization based in the Philippines, they help raise awareness about hemophilia and supports Filipinos with hemophilia with blood and monetary donations that will help them on their operations. Prevention is better than cure so it is better to test yourself if you already see the symptoms mentioned above so that you will know what to do and Blood Brothers Aid Inc. is there to help you. You can visit their official Facebook Page or visit them at Room 411 West East Center, 1332-1336 Taft Avenue, Ermita, Manila.
