World Hemophilia Day (WHD) started in 1989 as a way to raise awareness of the disorder and to bring attention to the needs of those who suffer from it.The reason it’s on April 17 is because that’s the birthday of the World Foundation for Hemophilia (WFH) founder Frank Schnabel.On WHD, organizations around the world organise a wide range of activities, events, and campaigns to help hemophiliacs.There is a different theme every year.Previous campaigns have included “Get vaccinated! Prevent hepatitis A and B” and treating people with all bleeding disorders.The WHF says treatment includes areas such as physiotherapy, information, training, diagnosis, and research for a cure.Hemophilia comes from the Greek haima "blood" and philia "to love".It is a group of genetic disorders that makes it difficult for the body to stop cuts bleeding.The cells that the body needs to clot blood are missing.Hemophilia is a hereditary disease and so it is passed down through generations.The gene that creates the disorder comes from the mother and is passed almost entirely to male babies.
