Hemophilia is a sex linked genetic disorder which generally affects males. In rare instances, a female may be born with hemophilia. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are 13,321 people with hemophilia A in the United States, and 3,638 persons with hemophilia B. At this time there is no cure for hemophilia. People with this bleeding disorder require treatment, the frequency or intensity of which is dependent on their level of deficiency. Hemophilia affects all socio-economic groups, races, and ethnic backgrounds.

von Willebrand Disease (vWD) is considered to be the most common inherited bleeding disorder, affecting both males and females (approximately 1-3% of the population). People with vWD either do not have an adequate supply of the protein called von Willebrand factor in their blood to prevent bleeding or the vonWillebrand factor does not function properly. Because of these problems, it takes longer for bleeding to stop.

For further information, please visit the Indiana Hemophilia and Thrombosis Center website at www.ihtc.org.