Through the WFH Humanitarian Aid Program, people with bleeding disorders in emerging countries gain access to life changing treatment, while healthcare professionals receive the training and support they need to strengthen care. In the Dominican Republic, access to treatment and comprehensive care has improved significantly over the last several years, giving more people with bleeding disorders the opportunity to live healthier, more active lives.
From crutches to daily walks
For Fendi, the impact of access to proper care was life changing. Thanks to donated treatment products, he was able to undergo total knee replacement surgery in both joints. “My life changed completely,” he says. “Now I can go to work, go to the beach, go to the park, go to the cinema, and spend time with my family.” Today, he enjoys cooking, swimming, and spending time outdoors—activities that were once difficult or impossible for him to do because of pain and reduced mobility.
Giving back to the community
In 2000, Fendi attended a WFH workshop in Costa Rica. For the first time, he met people with bleeding disorders from other countries who had access to regular treatment and specialized care. The experience changed his perspective. “I saw that people with hemophilia in other countries had a better life. And I thought, maybe in the Dominican Republic we can get treatment for everyone too.” The workshop marked the beginning of Fendi’s long relationship with WFH, and strengthened his commitment to improving care for others living with bleeding disorders.
The [WFH Humanitarian Aid Program] saved my life. And it has saved the lives of many other people in our country.
— Fendi Valdez, President of the Fundación Apoyo al Hemofílico (FAHEM)
Today, Fendi serves as President of the Fundación Apoyo al Hemofílico (FAHEM), the WFH NMO in the Dominican Republic. He works with healthcare professionals, government stakeholders, and the WFH to improve diagnosis, expand access to treatment, and strengthen care nationwide. Fendi has witnessed firsthand how humanitarian aid changes lives. Through WFH programs and partnerships, more patients have gained access to treatment, healthcare professionals have received specialized training, and families have access to more support than ever before. For Fendi, humanitarian aid is more than treatment—it is a bridge to a stronger future: “If I do not have treatment in my refrigerator, my whole family notices. When it is there, we all feel more comfortable.”
Through the generosity of our donors and sponsors, the WFH is not just providing medication to people with bleeding disorders, it’s building care infrastructure, training healthcare professionals, and empowering communities. Fendi’s story is a powerful reminder that your generosity and compassion changes lives. Your donations ensure that the WFH can continue this critical work across the globe. To give today and help more families access life-changing care, click here.