The Haemophilia Foundation of Uganda (HFU), working with the WFH Humanitarian Aid Program, has supported Francis with consistent medical treatment, comprehensive education on managing his condition, and a supportive community of peers. This foundation has made it possible for him to go back to school and pursue a Bachelor of Medicine degree, and he is now in his fourth year of a Bachelor of Surgery degree. Francis’s story is proof that support can bring monumental changes to the life of a person with an inherited bleeding disorder—taking them from hopelessness to a bright future where they can be productive members of society.
The WFH supports the Ugandan inherited bleeding disorders community through several initiatives in addition to the WFH Humanitarian Aid Program. For example, in 2023, the HFU received a WFH von Willebrand disease (VWD) Grant to help it increase the identification rates of VWD and other bleeding disorders in Uganda, and reduce mortality and morbidity caused by late diagnosis. Also, the HFU completed a Hemophilia Organization Twinning (HOT) with Wyoming/Montana (U.S.A) in 2024 for which the team received the Twins of the Year award.
Recently, Etyang Francis shared a letter with the WFH expressing his gratitude for the support he has received thanks to the WFH Humanitarian Aid Program. This letter has been edited for clarity.
Appreciation for WFH initiatives
Dear WFH,
I write this letter with profound gratitude and sincere appreciation for your generous support. As a person with hemophilia A, your humanitarian assistance has transformed my life in ways that words can scarcely express.
Before I had access to factor VIII, every day was filled with uncertainty and fear. Simple activities that most people take for granted—such as walking long distances, participating in school or even waking up without pain—were often impossible. I experienced repeated bleeding into joints and muscles, resulting in severe pain, frequent hospital visits and periods of immobility. Living with hemophilia A before receiving factor VIII was not just physically painful; it was emotionally exhausting. There were times I felt my condition was controlling my future, my career and my dreams.
Receiving treatment product has given me a new beginning. It has reduced the fear that once dominated my life and given me the confidence to be more independent. I can now receive prompt treatment for bleeding episodes, protect my joints from further damage and participate more fully in daily life. Your generosity is more than a donation of medicine, it is a gift of dignity, hope and life. Through your kindness, you have reminded me that people living with hemophilia are not forgotten and that compassionate individuals and companies are working tirelessly to improve our lives.
Please accept my deepest thanks for your unwavering commitment to people living with bleeding disorders around the world. I am truly grateful to the WFH, your partners, and every donor whose generosity has made this life-changing support possible.
May your work continue to bring healing and hope to many more people living with hemophilia.
Thank you,
Yours faithfully,
Etyang Francis
Uganda
The WFH Humanitarian Aid Program has donated over 26.5 million IUs of factor and over almost 320,000 mg of non-factor replacement therapy to Uganda since 2015. Over 6.2 million IUs of factor, and 64,000 mg of non-factor replacement therapy were donated last year alone. To find out more about the WFH Humanitarian Aid Program please click here.
About the WFH Humanitarian Aid Program
The WFH Humanitarian Aid Program improves the lack of access to care and treatment by providing much-needed support for people with inherited bleeding disorders in developing countries. By providing patients with a more predictable and sustainable flow of humanitarian aid donations, the WFH Humanitarian Aid Program makes it possible for patients to receive consistent and reliable access to treatment and care. None of this would be possible without the generous support of Sanofi and Sobi, our Founding Visionary Contributors; Bayer, CSL Behring and Roche, our Visionary Contributors; Grifols, our Leadership Contributor; and Takeda, our Contributor. To learn more about the WFH Humanitarian Aid Program, visit www.treatmentforall.org.
