Since its April and it's World Hemophilia Month, Blood Brothers Aid
Inc., a non-profit organization based in the Philippines, aims to raise
awareness about hemophilia in the country and to get more Filipinos to
recognize the problem and help through blood or monetary donations.
Do you know someone who may suffer from hemophilia?
Following an injury, a person with hemophilia may take a
longer time to heal from his wounds because his blood lacks the protein
(clotting factor) instrumental in clotting.
The usual symptoms of hemophilia include deep bruising,
joint pain and swelling caused by internal bleeding, spontaneous bleeding (e.g.
nosebleeds), or prolonged bleeding from cuts, after surgery, or after a tooth
extraction.
Hemophilia can be diagnosed by taking a blood sample and
measuring the level of clotting factor activity in the blood.
Help bring treatment to the Philippines.
Hemophilia is mainly treated with replacement therapy.
Clotting factor concentrates taken from healthy blood is injected into a
hemophiliac’s bloodstream. Once it reaches the affected area, bleeding is
expected to slow down and eventually stop. This treatment has to be done
shortly after injury so as to avoid further pain, as well as damage to the
person’s muscles, joints, and organs.
Clotting factor concentrates, however, are not readily
available in the Philippines. International groups or volunteers ship medicine
in from other countries, though supplies are minimal. In the absence of these
drugs, a person in need of replacement therapy would require blood or plasma
transfusions, and are at the mercy of the limited supply of blood available in
hospitals. There are reported incidents of deaths among hemophiliacs due to the
long wait for blood donations.
That’s why it is important for those who might show signs of
having hemophilia to be diagnosed at the soonest possible time. It is also why
more Filipinos need to be made aware of the disorder, so that we can help
provide the support and treatments necessary for people who suffer from it.
Become a Blood Brother.
Take the first step into helping by joining the Blood
Brothers Aid Inc. community through their Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/pages/Blood-Brothers-Aid-Inc/347564769650?fref=ts The
page will guide you in learning more about hemophilia, how to help, where to
donate, and how to spread the word.
