Ekawat Suwantaroj was born in Thailand, and, at four months of age, was diagnosed with severe hemophilia A. The challenge of living with a bleeding disorder in a developing country made a great impression on him, and he soon developed a determination to help other families in the Thai inherited bleeding disorders community. In 2004, he launched the Thai Hemophilia Patient Club, serving as its president. Suwantaroj went on to play an important part in the Hemophilia Early Treatment Program in Thailand, which pushed for the use of factor for all patients. The program also helped educate patients, teaching them how to self-infuse and perform joint exercises.
Suwantaroj is currently the Vice President of the Thai Hemophilia Patient Club and a committee member of the National Hemophilia Foundation of Thailand. He is active with other local support groups and is now setting up the Thai Rare Disease Foundation to increase the awareness of rare diseases in his country. He is also active internationally with the ASEAN Hemophilia Network (AHN) and has participated in several international workshops with the WFH over the last decade.
Ekawat Suwantaroj’s invaluable experience will be a great asset to the WFH as a Lay Member. Please join us in welcoming him to the WFH Board of Directors.