A blood donor shows his donor card after donating blood for HAPLOS Inc. Foundation in celebration of the National Hemophilia Day on April 17, 2010, at PNRC. (Photo by ERNA SAGALES)

April 17 is National Hemophilia Day.

The Hemophilia Association of the Philippines for Love and Service (HAPLOS) Inc. Foundation is spearheading an ongoing blood donation program in commemoration of the said event at the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) at Bonifacio Drive, Port Area, Manila. The blood donation program which lasts from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday will benefit patients with blood disorders and those in need. As of 12 noon, the blood drive has collected 26 bags from the donors.

On April 03, 2008, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo issued Proclamation No. 1478 declaring the month of April every year as "National Hemophilia Awareness Month" and April 17 every year as "National Hemophilia Day". The Department of Health (DOH) has been designated as lead government agency in collaboration/coordination with the Hemophilia Association of the Philippines for Love and Service (HAPLOS) Foundation, Inc. and the Philippine Hemophilia Foundation.

Hemophilia is a blood disorder that affects, mostly, male patients. It is the deficiency of the blood’s clotting factor, it is untreatable but can be maintained through blood transfusion and/or factor infusion. There is an estimated 8000 people with hemophilia (PWH) in the country.