March 2026

Dear Friends,



March and April are particularly meaningful months for our bleeding disorder community with Bleeding Disorders Awareness month in March and honoring World Hemophilia Day on April 17th. This is a time of advocacy, reflection and solidarity as we come together with one voice for our community.

We encourage you to take part in World Hemophilia Day on April 17, a time to spotlight the urgent need for equitable care worldwide. Many individuals still face the challenges of living with a bleeding disorder without adequate treatment, often compounded by financial hardship. Some ways you can participate through Save One Life - sponsor a child, donate unused medication, share a social media post with your network or make a donation that has a lasting impact!

You can also make a difference by joining Wheels for the World, our signature fundraiser that brings the bleeding disorders community together no matter where you live - locally, nationally, and globally. Get outside, have some fun, all while saving lives!

Every contribution, no matter the size, can change a child’s life. Together, we can create a future where every individual affected by bleeding disorders is heard, supported, and empowered - because we all matter.

With deepest gratitude,

Cindy

Executive Director

The Importance of Perseverance: Peter's Story

This is Peter, a 14 year old boy from Kenya. Peter is enrolled in our sponsorship program and receives assistance to continue his high school education. In a heartfelt letter, he shares his experience living with hemophilia and how it inspires him to persevere in his studies:

"I am writing to express my deep gratitude for the opportunity.

Living with hemophilia A has taught me the importance of perseverance, patience and responsibility. I have to take special care of my health, but this condition has not stopped me from setting big goals. It has given me unique perspective on life, motivating me to make the most of every opportunity that comes my way.

Despite these challenges, I am dedicated to my education and dream of becoming a neurosurgeon. I am passionate about science and hope to use my future career to help and uplift my community.

Your generosity not only helps me financially but also serves as a reminder that kindness and support can make a lasting difference."

In this episode of Where Hope Begins: The Save One Life Podcast, host Kai Sorensen sits down with Dr. Maureen Miruka, founder of the Jose Memorial Hemophilia Society of Kenya (JMHSK)—a leader whose story began with a mother’s fight to understand her son’s unexplained bleeding, and deepened through the loss of her son Jose to hemophilia complications in 2007.



Maureen shares what it took to pursue diagnosis and care in a system with limited resources, the long bus rides families still take to reach treatment, and the isolation of not knowing another parent facing the same condition. She also explains how partnership with Save One Life helped grow advocacy, access to factor through Project SHARE, and a more holistic model of support—including peer groups, scholarships, micro-enterprise grants, and cash transfers that restore stability and dignity.

Join us on April 21, 2026 at 6:30 PM at WFH's World Congress in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, as we celebrate our 25th anniversary and the global community that has made it all possible. The evening will feature a brief presentation reflecting on our journey over the past 25 years, along with light appetizers and time to connect with friends, partners, and supporters. We hope you will be part of this special moment as we look back with gratitude and ahead with hope.

Ambassador Spotlight: Rich Williams Takes on Our Cross-Country Ride—By Motorcycle!

We are thrilled to announce that our ambassador, Rich Williams, a devoted father of sons with hemophilia, will be taking on an extraordinary cross-country ride this summer—from Portland to Portland—on his motorcycle. This exciting journey expands Wheels for the World beyond cycling, making this our most inclusive year yet.

We want to thank Rich for his dedication and courage in taking on this challenge to raise awareness for children with bleeding disorders around the world. Join us in cheering him on as he embarks on this incredible ride at the end of the summer and helps shine a spotlight on the global hemophilia community.

March Happenings in Europe

Our European Liaison, Marelle Hart, has been actively engaging with colleagues at the Swiss and Dutch Hemophilia Associations to explore opportunities for featuring Save One Life in their member publications, helping to broaden awareness of our work across Europe.

Dr. Gianluca Sottilotta’s AI Survey in Hemophilia Care Featured at World Congress

We extend our sincere thanks to Dr. Gianluca Sottilotta, our European Ambassador, for conducting a survey on the growing role of artificial intelligence in hemophilia care and for developing the abstract that shaped this important discussion.

Building on his work, we invite you to join us at World Congress on April 20 at 10:45 AM for a session presented by Cindy Komar. This talk will explore how people with hemophilia are engaging with and evaluating AI-generated health information—and what these insights mean for the future of patient-informed care.

Pavlo and his father with their donated factor

Tony (middle right) with the Ukrainian Association for Haemophilia

Tony Hernandez recently traveled to Ukraine to support families living with bleeding disorders during a time of crisis. Through generous donations to our factor program, Project SHARE, lifesaving treatment was delivered to three families, including a young man recovering from surgery. “Had it not been for the generous donation from Save One Life, that young man may not have been here with us today. I have no words,” Tony shared.



This impact was made possible by our generous donors, whose support provided critical care, eased the burden on medical staff, and helped save lives. We are deeply grateful to Tony for supporting the bleeding disorder community firsthand and showing how, together, we can make a difference.

Wheels for the World 2026 kicks off April 17! This inclusive, virtual fundraiser invites participants of all abilities—if it has wheels, it counts—to turn miles into impact for people with bleeding disorders worldwide. Launching alongside the campaign is our short documentary, Wheels for the World: A Journey of Inspiration, Hope, and Resilience, following Vaughn Ripley as he cycles 756 miles from Maine to West Virginia to raise awareness for those still lacking lifesaving treatment. Watch the trailer now!

Save One Life is proud to announce the election of Michelle Kim as the new President of the Board of Directors. A respected leader and advocate in the rare disease and bleeding disorders communities, Michelle brings a powerful combination of professional expertise and lived experience to this role.

Formerly the Executive Director of the Hemophilia Foundation of Southern California, she has led innovative programs, championed underserved communities, and co-founded Familia de Sangre, now the largest Spanish-speaking conference dedicated to bleeding disorders. As we enter an exciting new chapter, we invite you to read more about Michelle’s inspiring journey and vision for the future on our website.

As we welcome our new Board President, we also extend our sincere thanks to two dedicated members of the Save One Life Board of Directors whose service has come to a close.

Wendie Chadd concludes her tenure as Board President after providing exceptional leadership and commitment to our mission. She began her journey with Save One Life in a truly hands-on way, joining our Kilimanjaro trip to experience our work firsthand and connect with the communities we serve. We are deeply grateful for her lasting impact.

We also thank Arjan Hehenkamp for his valued service and contributions as a board member. Please join us in expressing our appreciation to Wendie and Arjan for their time and dedication.

With World Hemophilia Day 2026 coming up on April 17, we unite around this year’s theme, “Diagnosis: First Step to Care.” For many people living with bleeding disorders, a diagnosis is the critical first step toward receiving the treatment and support they need, but far too many around the world are still waiting.



Your donation to Save One Life helps make diagnosis, care, and education possible for individuals in underserved communities. Join us in turning awareness into action. Give today and help ensure every person has the chance to be diagnosed and receive lifesaving care.

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