It wasn’t until Yannick was in her late 50s that she was finally diagnosed with mild hemophilia A. It was a moment of clarity, but also of heartbreak. Decades of missed opportunities for care had already taken a toll. Now an advocate, Yannick is determined to ensure that no woman or girl experiences the same neglect and disbelief she endured.
Unfortunately, Yannick’s story is not an exception. It is the norm. That’s one of the reasons why “Access for all: Women and girls bleed too” was chosen as the theme for World Hemophilia Day which just took place this past April 17.
Building on this powerful message of recognition and access, the World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH) is proud to launch our 2025 Annual Fundraising Appeal – Women and Girls Bleed Too: A Global Call to Action. This campaign will build on the momentum of World Hemophilia Day and will help transform awareness into action by raising critical support for the WFH programs that drive meaningful, lasting change.
Why this campaign matters
Around the world, women and girls with bleeding disorders continue to fall through the cracks, and are dismissed, undiagnosed, or misdiagnosed—often for decades.
Globally, only 8% of people with bleeding disorders in low-income countries have been diagnosed, compared to 73% in high-income countries. For women, the numbers are even more dire: just 4.5% of expected hemophilia cases in women are diagnosed, and the average delay for those with von Willebrand disease (VWD) is 16 years.
Timely diagnosis isn’t just about treatment, it’s about dignity, safety, and the right to a full life.
The goal: $350,000 to drive global impact
With your support, we aim to raise $350,000 USD by the end of 2025 to help the WFH continue working towards our vision of Treatment for All. Your contribution will help:
- Expand access to diagnosis and treatment in under-resourced regions
- Strengthen local healthcare systems and provider training
- Sustain life-changing initiatives like the WFH Humanitarian Aid Program, which has donated 2.3 billion IUs of factor replacement therapy to those who need it most
- Amplify data-driven advocacy and awareness campaigns that empower women and girls to seek and receive the care they deserve
I bled so much I needed transfusions. It made school impossible.
—Eliza VanZweden, person with Glanzmann thrombasthenia
Eliza’s story
“I bled so much I needed transfusions. It made school impossible,” is how Eliza VanZweden, who lives with Glanzmann thrombasthenia, described her childhood. Diagnosed as a baby, Eliza’s life was marked by constant bleeding and emergency care. Many years passed before she found a supportive community and doctors who truly listened. The sense of connection and of being seen that she now enjoys—thanks to organizations like the WFH—is exactly what this campaign is about. By raising awareness and funds, we’re building a future where women and girls like Eliza and Yannick don’t have to fight alone.
How you can help
- Donate: provide a gift today at give.wfh.org
- Become a Global Champion: join our growing community of donors committed to changing lives by clicking here
- Amplify our reach: invite someone to give alongside you
Equal care starts with awareness—and with you
Throughout 2025, we will share milestones, updates, and more powerful stories from the women and girls who inspired the theme of our mission this year. Your contribution—whether it’s $25 or $2,500—will help close the gender gap in care, accelerate diagnosis, and bring us closer to a world where our vision of Treatment for All is a reality. To keep in touch visit the WFH news page or join our newsletter.