In the near future, I plan to introduce a resolution recognizing April 17, 2018 as “World Hemophilia Day” in Pennsylvania.
Hemophilia is a rare genetic bleeding disorder, in which one of the proteins that causes blood to clot is missing, or there is not enough of the protein to work properly, causing people to bleed for longer periods of time. Without effective blood clotting, cuts and internal injuries have difficulty healing, and internal bleeding into the joints can result in pain and permanent damage.
It is estimated that more than 400,000 people worldwide are living with hemophilia, with approximately 20,000 of those people living in the United States, and 2,000 living here in Pennsylvania. It is my hope that this resolution helps raise awareness of this rare disorder.