Victory for Women with Blood Disorders (V4W)

Women with bleeding disorders such as von Willebrand disease, hemophilia, or rare platelet disorders can experience severe consequences if their condition is left untreated. For women who do receive proper medical care, their quality of life is much improved. NHF is committed to sharing critical information about bleeding disorders with women who are symptomatic but not yet diagnosed, so that they too can enjoy a higher quality of life once the debilitating symptoms of their chronic condition are better managed.

Other priorities of the V4W’s health and bleeding disorder initiative are developing and implementing strategies to educate women and healthcare providers about the symptoms of bleeding disorders, and resources for medical assistance.  The initiative also provides support to women already diagnosed, by working with NHF chapters and hemophilia treatment centers (HTCs). The V4W task force provides advice and guidance for program development, and is comprised of women with bleeding disorders, community professionals and experts in the fields of medicine, social marketing and health education. The current population focus for V4W is young women, ages 18-21, and mothers of teenage girls.