The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has restored its approval of BeneFIX as a routine prophylactic, or preventive, treatment for bleeds in children and adolescents under 16 with hemophilia B. Marketed by Pfizer, BeneFIX is a lab-made version of factor IX (FIX), the blood clotting protein that…

I remember watching “The Wizard of Oz” as a little girl. While the visual effects now appear primitive compared with today’s high-tech productions, the movie scared me when I was a kid. The scene where Dorothy was trapped in her house as the tornado lifted it into the sky seemed…

December not only marks the end of the year, but it’s also the time for my annual visit to the specialists at my regional hemophilia treatment center (HTC). I live more than two hours away from them, so I appreciate the convenience of telehealth appointments, which are far more…

When I was diagnosed with hemophilia B and von Willebrand disease as a child, there were no choices in terms of treatment strategy. Treatment for me came in the form of intravenous blood products administered only in the hospital. Fast-forward to today, and I’m fortunate to have options…

Novo Nordisk A/S has launched HemaGo XChange, a new web-based service portal for people with bleeding disorders. This platform will address the overwhelming demands that patients with hemophilia might face in the monitoring and sharing of information about their disease. HemaGo XChange allows patients to monitor and share treatment…

In the Christian tradition, the season of Advent occurs for the four weeks leading to Christmas. Through the time leading up to the birth of Christ, we take a fearless moral inventory and address the issues that keep us from experiencing hope and contentment. I often equate Advent as a…

First in a series. Every person is unique, shaped by the combination of their upbringing, education, cultural influences, values, attitudes, and behaviors. No two people are exactly alike. Even identical twins, while genetically similar, have differences, including their fingerprints. Medical conditions can also emphasize a person’s individuality. While many may…

I have diabetes and give myself insulin shots every evening. There is not much to the process. I draw up the insulin into a syringe and find a place in the area around my stomach. Once I choose the site, I plunge the tiny needle into my skin. No harm,…

Bone defects were seen since birth — and following injury — in mouse models of hemophilia A and B, but not in Von Willebrand (VWD) disease mice, a study shows. Researchers said further study into the potential mechanisms of primary bone deficits in hemophilia may help in…