World Hemophilia Day 2025: Theme, History, Support and Awareness

Every year on April 17, the global community comes together to observe World Hemophilia Day, a significant health awareness day that aims at drawing attention to hemophilia and other inherited bleeding disorders. Established to honor the vision of Frank Schnabel, the founder of the World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH), this day draws attention to the lives, concerns, and issues of millions of individuals with these conditions worldwide.
In 2025, World Hemophilia Day carries a very powerful message with the theme “Access for All: Women and Girls Bleed Too.” This year’s campaign focuses on the problem of underdiagnosis and undertreatment of women and girls with bleeding disorders — a commonly overlooked group. The campaign is not merely awareness but action too at a global level for inclusion, equity, and access to healthcare for all.

What is World Hemophilia Day?

World Hemophilia Day is celebrated every year on April 17 to raise global awareness of hemophilia and other genetic bleeding disorders. It is a time to inform the public, provide equitable access to treatment, and promote the rights and interests of individuals with these lifelong disorders.
The day is also the birthday of Frank Schnabel, the creator of the World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH), who had a dream to improve the lives of people with bleeding disorders around the world.

What is Hemophilia?

Hemophilia is a rare, inherited bleeding disorder in which the blood has inadequate clotting factors, causing prolonged bleeding. There are various types:

While hemophilia mostly occurs in males, females can be carriers and also develop severe symptoms like heavy menstrual bleeding, postpartum hemorrhage, and spontaneous bruising.

World Hemophilia Day 2025 Theme

Theme: “Access for All: Women and Girls Bleed Too”

The 2025 theme underlines the imperative for awareness, diagnosis, and care for women and girls with bleeding disorders, who have traditionally been overlooked or misdiagnosed because of gender bias in medical research and healthcare providers.

Key Focus Areas:

• Acknowledging women as both carriers and sufferers of hemophilia

• Ensuring equitable access to care for women and girls

• Raising awareness about symptoms often dismissed in females

• Encouraging healthcare providers to listen and act

This theme continues the ongoing campaign by WFH to close the care gap and create a more inclusive future for all bleeding disorder patients.

History of World Hemophilia Day

• Founded by: World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH)

• First observed: 1989

• Why April 17? It marks the birth anniversary of Frank Schnabel, a Canadian businessman and hemophilia patient who founded WFH in 1963.

Over the decades, this day has grown into a global movement, engaging patients, caregivers, researchers, and health ministries to improve access to diagnosis, treatment, and psychosocial support.

Support & Global Awareness Initiatives

How to Support World Hemophilia Day 2025

1. Wear Red
   Red symbolizes blood and awareness. Join the #RedTieChallenge or wear red clothing on April 17.

2. Light it Up Red
   Global landmarks, homes, and organizations light up in red to show support for the cause.

3. Host Awareness Events
   Organize local talks, educational webinars, or blood donation drives to inform communities about hemophilia.

4. Share Stories Online
   Use hashtags like #WorldHemophiliaDay, #WHD2025, and #WomenBleedToo to share stories, facts, and infographics on social media.

5. Donate to Hemophilia Charities
   Support organizations like WFH, NBDF (National Bleeding Disorders Foundation), and other local NGOs that work tirelessly for patient welfare.

6. Educate and Advocate
   Empower people by distributing flyers, creating blog posts, or writing to policymakers to promote better healthcare policies.

Global Organizations Supporting the Cause

1. World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH)

Founded in 1963, WFH leads the global fight for access to diagnosis, treatment, and comprehensive care for people with inherited bleeding disorders.

2. National Bleeding Disorders Foundation (NBDF)

Active in the United States, NBDF provides education, research, and advocacy for those affected by hemophilia and related disorders.

3. Haemophilia Foundation Australia (HFA)

Works to improve support and awareness across Australia, with a strong focus on community engagement.

The Road Ahead: Building a Future of Hope

While advances like prophylactic treatment, gene therapy, and personalized medicine are improving outcomes, global inequities persist. In many developing countries, patients still suffer due to:

• Lack of access to clotting factor concentrates

• Inadequate diagnosis

• Cultural stigma around bleeding disorders

• Gender discrimination in medical care

World Hemophilia Day 2025 is a call to action — a reminder that access to care is not a privilege, but a right.

Conclusion

World Hemophilia Day 2025 is more than an awareness campaign; it is an international movement to raise awareness, educate, empower, and advocate on behalf of the people living with bleeding disorders. With the theme for this year being “Access for All: Women and Girls Bleed Too,” gender parity in the face of medical attention and an overall need for drastic change within systems takes center stage.

Sharing is caring!