It’s easy to spot physical damage, such as swollen joints, nosebleeds, limps, and bruises, when one suffers from a bleeding disorder. But the psychological and emotional damage that may result is not as easy to see or treat. A U.S. survey of hemophilia patients, published a few years…

I love the final-night event of a national bleeding disorder conference. Different groups invite community members to play games, the meal is remarkable, and the dance floor begs for us all to gather and celebrate. After the highly informative events offered by leaders in the bleeding disorder community, friends…

Affirmation: one word with significant connotations. From the day we come into this world, we seek an acknowledgment that our presence on this planet matters. To be affirmed by those around us reinforces the idea that our contributions to our community hold special significance. When we hear others give…

I’m late getting my garden ready for the season. I considered giving in and leaving the weeds and remnants from last year’s harvest for another season, but seeing the butterflies and bees come to my space and picking fresh vegetables brings me too much happiness. So I enlisted my husband…

Climate change has been a hot topic in our circles lately. We feel it very much in the Philippines, where hot summers in the months of April and May have quickly turned into a season of strong typhoons and dangerous floods. Recently, a major typhoon hit the province of…

In addition to having hemophilia B and von Willebrand disease, I also am a caregiver to my 79-year-old mother, whom I live with in Florida. Avoiding COVID-19 has been difficult for us, as she was diagnosed with a severe immune deficiency at the height of the pandemic.

CSL Behring will donate 500 million international units (IUs) of coagulation factor therapy to the World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH) in an effort to promote reliable access to treatment for bleeding disorders, including hemophilia, across more than 60 developing countries. The donation marks the fifth multiyear…

Last week, my wife, Cazandra, my youngest son, Caeleb, and I attended the annual meeting of the Hemophilia Federation of America, held in San Antonio. The grassroots, national organization promotes the health and well-being of those who manage chronic bleeding disorders. While attending the conference, we engaged with…

I sat in a hotel ballroom with hundreds of people who gathered to pay tribute to their loved ones. The names and pictures of the dearly departed appeared on giant screens at the front of the room. Many people had their cellphones ready, anxiously waiting to capture the image…

This past week my adult son, Julian, made a decision that I didn’t like. I wanted badly to tell him how I felt and that his choice may not be in his best interest. I don’t think it’s essential to mention what he did as much as my reaction to…