NEWS RELEASE
April 15, 2007 – As organizations around the world plan activities to mark World Hemophilia Day on April 17, the theme adopted this year by the World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH) is simple but important: exercise is vital to good health and it’s no different for people with hemophilia than it is for anyone else.
Hemophilia is a disorder characterized by prolonged or spontaneous bleeding. Contrary to a common misconception, exercise is key to maintaining good health for children and adults with hemophilia. The WFH slogan for World Hemophilia Day 2007 is “Improve Your Life!” “This year’s slogan tells a simple truth: exercise can dramatically improve the lives of people with hemophilia and other bleeding disorders,” says President Mark Skinner.
Not all exercises, however, are appropriate for people with hemophilia and that’s why this year’s theme is important for patients and medical practitioners alike. “Any exercise is like medicine — it must be chosen and prescribed for each individual,” explains physiotherapist Kathy Mulder, author of the recent WFH publication Exercises for People with Hemophilia.
The benefit of exercise to people with hemophilia is especially meaningful in developing countries, where access to treatment can be scarce. In countries with greater access to treatment, physical therapy remains a key part of comprehensive medical care.
“This year’s theme builds on the WFH’s strategic vision of ‘Treatment for All’ — a vision that aspires towards proper diagnosis, management and care by a multidisciplinary healthcare team for all those with inherited bleeding disorders around the world,” says Mark Skinner.
The WFH works in partnership with healthcare professionals, governments, industry and foundations to improve access to care around the world. World Hemophilia Day 2007 is sponsored by Bayer HealthCare, a longtime partner in WFH educational and healthcare initiatives.
Michael E. Mathews, Vice President, Global Marketing Hematology/Cardiology, Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, says Bayer considers it essential to help propel the WFH vision. “We pledge our continued commitment to help WFH advance the care of hemophilia globally,” he says.
For more information:
Debbie Hum, Communications Manager
514-394-2832 or dhum@wfh.org
Last Updated: April 2007 |
