Hemophilia 24/7
— Cazandra Campos-MacDonald

Severe, moderate, and mild: These are the degrees with which a person with hemophilia is labeled based on the percentage of clotting factor in their blood. With the word “severe,” one might automatically think it is the worst kind of hemophilia. This level means that a person has less…

When I was a kid in the 1970s and ’80s, I thought children who had trampolines in their yards were amazing. Being invited over to jump on a friend’s trampoline was a special treat. Later, as a teacher, I lost track of how many of my students acquired injuries from…

Twenty-three years ago, my life changed dramatically. I became a mom. My firstborn, Julian, entered the world screaming at the top of his lungs with a head full of crazy black hair. I imagined him thinking, “Put me back in!” When he was laid on my chest, I was overcome…

Most people will tell you that their children are opposites. One is outgoing, the other would rather be left alone. One will talk until your head hurts, the other will utter only a few words when prompted. Their personalities are different, yet they have the same biological parents. I see…

I am a believer in the benefits of summer camp — hemophilia camp to be specific. Children with bleeding disorders across the U.S. have the opportunity to spend time away from home and participate in activities they may not usually experience. Hemophilia camp is a place where kids can…

When my youngest son needed daily infusions, keeping up with factor and supplies was not difficult. There was never any question as to when an infusion would take place, and ordering what was needed was the same every month. At one point when his treatment was extremely complicated, each month…

May is a busy month — with end of school year parties and graduations, the time flies as summer begins. This month is significant for another reason: May is Mental Health Month. It is wonderful that our society talks openly about mental health issues. When I was growing up,…

The month of May can be an emotional roller coaster for many. Social media fills up with parents bragging about their children’s latest accomplishments — honor society, college acceptance letters, awards, and recognitions among them. It’s a great thing to have a network for connection and celebration of each…

Summer is upon us. Our kids have big plans: sleeping in, watching television, playing video games, sleepovers, vacations, and summer camp. From church camp to athletic and band camp, the summer is filled with opportunities. The bleeding disorder community also has summer camps across the country from June to…

Mother’s Day is this Sunday. The day dedicated to honoring mothers began in the early 1900s. It’s a special time of joy and celebration, with families going out for lunch and mothers receiving cards and flowers. That’s the picture-perfect version of what Mother’s Day looks like in a television…

I find myself stranded today. I had traveled from Texas to Denver for a week of classes before jetting off to Vermont for a speaking engagement. Before my arrival in Vermont, my return flight to Denver was canceled. What’s a girl to do? Having spoken at the New…

My youngest son Caeleb suffers from seasonal allergies. He gets severe headaches, congestion, a runny nose, watery eyes — it’s not fun. One of the telltale signs that he is genuinely sick is when he vomits from a headache; otherwise, I chalk most things up to allergies. On a Sunday…