About Us

Our Background

Hemophilia and Bleeding Disorders of Alabama, Inc. (HBDA) was founded in 2005 by a small number of affected families who wanted to create a community of support. At the time of its inception, there were no organizations in Alabama that represented people with bleeding disorders. Today, HBDA has a membership of approximately 350, which includes industry professionals and home health care providers. We are committed to developing executive committees throughout the state to increase our outreach for support and involvement. Through educational opportunities, advocacy, services, and fundraising efforts, we are Alabama’s main resource for its bleeding disorders community.

Our Mission

Hemophilia and Bleeding Disorders of Alabama strives to strengthen families and individuals with bleeding disorders through advocacy and educational outreach, while facilitating programs that foster peer support and independence.

About Bleeding Disorders

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), approximately 18,000 people in the United States have hemophilia (either hemophilia A or hemophilia B). A person with hemophilia has a missing or diminished amount of one of the factors needed for normal blood clotting. Depending on the level of these factors in the blood, hemophilia may be mild, moderate or severe.

About 60% of persons with hemophilia have severe hemophilia A. They are at risk for bleeding after dental work, surgery, and trauma. They also may suffer internal bleeding with no trauma or injury and without apparent cause. Repeated joint bleeds can lead to other health problems and disabilities, including chronic joint problems and loss of range of motion.

The hemophilia gene is carried by females on one of their X chromosomes and may be passed to their male offspring. In about a third of all cases there is no family history of the disease, and hemophilia occurs as a result of a new or spontaneous mutation.

The most common bleeding disorder is von Willebrand disease (vWD), which is found in approximately 1-2% of the U.S. population. vWD results from a deficiency or defect in the body’s ability to make von Willebrand factor, a protein that helps blood clot. vWD occurs in men and women equally. People with vWD bruise easily, have recurrent nosebleeds, or bleed after tooth extraction, tonsillectomy or other surgery.
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