Canadian Hemophilia Society

CHS-SCHlogo

Canadian Hemophilia Society (CHS) is a national voluntary health charity in Canada dedicated to improving the health and quality of life for all people with hemophilia and other inherited bleeding disorders, and to finding a cure. The society was established in 1953 by a group of parents of children with hemophilia. Since then, it has grown into a national organization that provides support, education, and advocacy for those affected by bleeding disorders.

History

The Canadian Hemophilia Society was founded to address the unique needs of individuals and families affected by hemophilia, a condition that, at the time, had limited treatment options and was often misunderstood by the general public and healthcare professionals. Over the decades, the CHS has been instrumental in advocating for safer blood products, better healthcare services, and more research into bleeding disorders.

Mission and Vision

The mission of the CHS is to advocate and promote quality care and support for people with inherited bleeding disorders. Its vision is a world without suffering from these conditions. The society works towards these goals through a variety of programs and initiatives aimed at education, support, and research.

Programs and Services

The Canadian Hemophilia Society offers a wide range of programs and services designed to support individuals and families affected by bleeding disorders. These include:

• Education and Awareness: The CHS provides educational materials and programs to patients, families, healthcare professionals, and the public to increase understanding of bleeding disorders and their management.

• Support Services: Peer support, counseling, and financial assistance programs are available to help those affected by bleeding disorders cope with the challenges they face.

• Advocacy: The CHS advocates for policies and practices that improve care, protect the blood supply, and ensure access to the best possible treatments for all people with bleeding disorders in Canada.

• Research: The society supports research into bleeding disorders, aiming to improve treatment options and ultimately find cures.

Challenges and Achievements

One of the significant challenges the CHS has faced was the Canadian blood crisis in the 1980s, when thousands of Canadians were infected with HIV and hepatitis C through contaminated blood products. The CHS played a crucial role in advocating for the victims and pushing for reforms in the blood system, leading to the establishment of the Canadian Blood Services and Héma-Québec, which now oversee blood donation in Canada.

The society has also been a leader in promoting new treatments and care models for people with bleeding disorders, significantly improving their quality of life.

Future Directions

The Canadian Hemophilia Society continues to focus on improving care and support for individuals with bleeding disorders, advocating for access to new and innovative treatments, and supporting research towards better treatments and a cure.

See Also

• Hemophilia
• Bleeding disorders
• Canadian Blood Services
• Héma-Québec