Tracye Hamler shares how her hemophilia diagnosis inspired her to create Free Bleeders and advocate for women with bleeding disorders through community, education, and visibility.
Transcript
So hi, guys, my name is Tracye Hamler. I am the founder and CEO of Free Bleeders, which is a nonprofit organization that I created to empower and educate women to become the CEO of their health. The reason why I created this organization is because at 30 years old, I was diagnosed with hemophilia.
At 22 years old, I gave birth to my son, and he was diagnosed at birth. I was told during that time that I could not have hemophilia, that I was only a symptomatic carrier at best. Although I had bled out and I was given blood transfusions, I simply considered myself a carrier.
So to learn at 30 years old that I was, too, in fact, diagnosed with hemophilia, it shaked me. I was looking for resources. I was looking for support for women with bleeding disorders, and there was not any. So that’s how Free Bleeders was formed.
I think my interest really came from realizing how isolating this journey can feel, especially as a woman. For a long time, many women weren’t centered in these conversations, and I knew I couldn’t be the only one that was navigating it. Once I started connecting with other women in the bleeding disorder community, I found sisterhood. I found education and healing, and it changed everything for me.
I realized that community isn’t just about support. It can be really life-changing. Seeing how powerful shared stories can be, it actually motivated me. Every time someone told me, “I thought I was the only one,” it reminded me of why visibility matters.
I began sharing because I wanted women to feel less alone and to ask questions sooner, to advocate harder, and to know their symptoms deserve attention. My story stopped being just my story, and it became a bridge for others.
Vulnerability comes with challenges, right? Sharing your story means revisiting difficult moments, misdiagnosis, pain, and not even being believed. That can be very emotional. It can be traumatic even.
There’s also the responsibility that comes with advocacy. When you share publicly, people often look to you for answers and for strength, and sometimes you’re navigating your own challenges, too. But I’ve learned that vulnerability creates connection and that it has made it all worth it.
My biggest advice is trust your voice and advocate for yourself. You are the expert of your body. Ask the questions. Seek the second opinions. Don’t minimize your symptoms.
Also, find a community. There is something healing about being in spaces with people who understand your lived experiences. And know this: Your diagnosis does not define your possibilities. You can truly live fully, lead boldly, and use your story in powerful ways.
If I can leave people with anything, it’s this: Your voice matters, your story matters, and sometimes the very thing that you struggle through becomes the thing that helps someone else survive.