March is Bleeding Disorders Awareness Month

Posted by kwonder on March 13th, 2018 Posted in: Advocacy, Blog, General (all entries)

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March is Bleeding Disorders Awareness Month.  Raising awareness is a focus because “three million people across the U.S. live with bleeding disorders that can cause extended bleeding after injury, surgery or trauma, and can be life-threatening if not treated effectively,” explains the National Hemophilia Foundation.

What are bleeding disorders?

Per MedlinePlus, “Normally, if you get hurt, your body forms a blood clot to stop the bleeding. For blood to clot, your body needs cells called platelets and proteins known as clotting factors. If you have a bleeding disorder, you either do not have enough platelets or clotting factors or they don’t work the way they should.  Bleeding disorders can be the result of other diseases, such as severe liver disease or a lack of vitamin K. They can also be inherited. Hemophilia is an inherited bleeding disorder. Bleeding disorders can also be a side effect of medicines such as blood thinners.”

How else can you help raise awareness of bleeding disorders?  The CDC recommends:

• Visit the National Hemophilia Foundation’s websiteto change your social media profile picture and Facebook banner.
• Share messages from the Hemophilia Federation of America’sfact-a-day social media campaign on Facebook and learn about additional strategies they suggest for helping to spread bleeding disorders awareness.
• Share our videos on hemophilia and von Willebrand disease, and our Flickr Album containing personal stories of people affected by hemophilia, and the added challenge of having an inhibitor.
• Follow @CDC_NCBDDDand retweet messages about CDC resources available to people with bleeding disorders.
• Visit our webpages on hemophilia, women with bleeding disorders, and von Willebrand disease to learn more about bleeding disorders.

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