Without reliable access to treatment for hemophilia, Syimyk missed a lot of school while he was growing up in Kyrgyzstan. But thanks to the World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH) Humanitarian Aid Program, life is different for his younger brother, Bekbolson.
“Now, thank God, there is enough medicine, and we don’t have to go to the hospital so often,” Syimyk said.
A new WFH video shares their story and shows how hemophilia medicine donated by CSL Behring and other companies is making a critical impact. In 2024, The Humanitarian Aid Program served people in 75 countries, according to the latest WFH HA Impact Report.
Watch the WFH video
“The most important thing is not to limit yourself,” Bekbolson said in the video, which follows him to school, where his teacher gives him a positive report.
She envisions a bright future for him and his classmates and hopes they will study at great universities.
CSL Behring has been donating treatments to the World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH) Humanitarian Aid Program for nearly two decades. CSL Behring’s Antti Kourula, who is Hematology Vice President for Global Commercial, traveled recently to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan with WFH officials to meet people like Bekbolson and see the Humanitarian Aid Program in action. Kourula observed how the program is run in the field.
“For people living with hemophilia in developing countries who are undiagnosed, untreated or undertreated, life can be very difficult,” Kourula said. "We recognize that adequate diagnosis and lack of access to treatment remains a major challenge, and we are proud of our efforts, together with the WFH, to help address the significant unmet need that still exists in many parts of the world."
According to the WFH, up to 70% of people living with hemophilia around the world do not have access to treatments. Since 2007, CSL Behring has donated financial support as well as millions of international units (IUs) of coagulation factor therapies to the WFH HA Program each year. And in 2022, the company committed to donating 500 million IUs over a five-year period – including product specifically manufactured for the purposes of donation. A reliable supply is key.
“When we consider the impact of our medicines, it’s more than just looking at the numbers and data. It’s about how peoples’ lives are positively impacted by having consistent and predictable access to treatment, and the ripple effects that has on their friends, family members, caregivers and communities as well,” Kourula said. “I am proud to work for a company that sponsors the tremendous work of the WFH, helping people around the world live their lives to the fullest extent.”
About the WFH Humanitarian Aid Program
The WFH Humanitarian Aid Program improves the lack of access to care and treatment by providing much-needed support for people with inherited bleeding disorders in developing countries. By providing patients with a more predictable and sustainable flow of humanitarian aid donations, the WFH Humanitarian Aid Program makes it possible for patients to receive consistent and reliable access to treatment and care. None of this would be possible without the generous support of Sanofi and Sobi, our Founding Visionary Contributors; Bayer, CSL Behring and Roche, our Visionary Contributors; Grifols, our Leadership Contributor; and Takeda, our Contributor. To learn more about the WFH Humanitarian Aid Program, visit www.treatmentforall.org.
