This Lebanese Organization Is Helping Young People With Hemophilia

Theo Stroomer/The New York Times/REDUX | Lebanese Association for Hemophilia

The Lebanese people have had to always look after each other during tough times. It’s what we have to do as citizens and as a society to overcome repeated crises.

Whether by individual initiatives or thanks to local NGOs’ continuous and relentless efforts, the people are being the change they want to see in this country. This is the journey and mission of this Lebanese NGO that has certainly created a difference:

The Lebanese Association for Hemophilia was founded in 1992 with a mission to improve the lives of young people who inherit bleeding disorders.

They help them in any way they can, through providing medication, physiotherapy sessions, medical follow-ups, psycho-social support, and more. They also look after their educational and professional conditions.

This non-profit organization is led by a group of volunteers and is a member of the World Federation of Hemophilia.

One of the association’s many achievements throughout the years when helping ease the suffering of the youth with Hemophilia is creating, managing, and financing the only Hemophilia Treating Center in Lebanon that specializes in Hemophilia care in 2000.

In 2002, these amazing people expanded their activities to include all inherited bleeding disorders.

Hemophilia is a blood clotting disorder that affects significantly the lives of
children and adults. People affected have a partial or total deficiency of a necessary
protein for the normal blood clotting called coagulation factors.

A Person with Hemophilia (PWH) may suffer from uncontrollable bleedings
following a bruise or a minor injury.

Bleeding into the joints and muscles may cause acute pain and with time lead to disabilities, while the internal bleeding in the vital organs like the brain may lead to the death of the patient.

The Lebanese Association for Hemophilia is located in Jal El-Dib, north of Beirut, and, as is the condition of every Lebanese person, business, and organization, the NGO is now struggling to keep on doing its crucial humanitarian work.

As the president and co-founder of the association, Solange Sakr, told The961: “After 30 years of good work to ensure youth with blood disorders in Lebanon have a healthy life free of physical injuries and discrimination, we are finding it very hard to keep our doors open with all the difficulties we faced in 2020.”

Due to the health and economic situation in Lebanon, the organization is struggling to find the necessary funds for the services they provide for their 470+ patients. The pandemic had caused them to cancel their annual fundraising dinner, which puts it in a very critical condition.

That has led them to launch an online fundraiser in hopes of collecting just enough to keep the association going. “Despite all difficulties, we have faith in a brighter future. Life cannot stop here. We should stand firmly, and, with you, we will continue our mission.”

It is encouraging to see the NGO’s volunteers and founders do everything in their power to continue helping these young people with a medical condition that is rarely spoken of in Lebanon, hence marginalized when it comes to donations and support.

A more reason for people of goodwill, in Lebanon and in the diaspora, to help out this unique NGO in whatever way they can.

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