Using a baby’s own umbilical cells as vehicles to deliver factor VIII (FVIII) — the missing or defective clotting protein in hemophilia A — may be an effective, long-lasting, and more affordable therapeutic approach for this blood disorder, an early study suggests. The findings “lay the groundwork for future…

As of this writing, my family and I have been in quarantine for over a week because my husband, Jared, has COVID-19. We were anxious after he tested positive,  because we didn’t know what the outcome would be. Thankfully, he’s doing much better, and his symptoms have subsided. He…

There are multiple types of medical trauma. A medical emergency can be traumatic. Chronic medical issues can be traumatic. Struggling to obtain a diagnosis and treatment is traumatic. I believe that one of the most consequential results of suffering medical trauma is the subsequent refusal to engage with medical professionals.

Now and then, I think about my own health. I wonder if I’m caring for myself enough, or if my husband’s illnesses might be standing in the way. When health issues unexpectedly crop up for him due to his hemophilia or seizure disorder, certain worries are inevitable. What if…

Over the past few years, my youngest son has developed pain in joints that were damaged by internal bleeding episodes. As a result, he struggles some days to walk due to an arthritis-like ache. His hematologist prescribed the medicine Celebrex (celecoxib) to help with inflammation, which decreases…

Preventive treatment with marzeptacog alfa activated (MarzAA) can reduce bleed frequency substantially in men with hemophilia A or B who developed inhibitors to conventional replacement therapies, according to data from a Phase 2 clinical trial. The findings were reported in the study, “Subcutaneous engineered factor…

Treatment with the investigational gene therapy Roctavian (valoctocogene roxaparvovec) can reduce bleeding frequency and the use of replacement therapies, while maintaining or improving the quality of life of people with severe hemophilia A for up to five years, updated Phase 1/2 trial data show.  “These…

The Hemophilia Federation of America (HFA) is now offering mental health and well-being courses, through its Learning Central program, to support people with hemophilia, as well as their caregivers. Topic areas include anxiety, suicide, trauma, pain management, depression, and grief. Offered resources in the program’s library can be…

The National Hemophilia Foundation (NHF), through its Nursing Working Group (NWG), has released new guidelines to help hemophilia A patients self-administer Hemlibra (emicizumab). In its announcement, the foundation also highlighted the issuance of new guidelines for nurses to ensure safe and effective administration of standard into-the-vein…

I have carried a pocket calendar since my junior high school years. I recently came across an old calendar from 10th grade. Pictures of playful puppies were on the cover, and ticket stubs were tucked inside the sleeve. I was overwhelmed by memories of my younger days and the happiness…