May 2026

Dear Friends,



As we continue celebrating our 25th anniversary, I am filled with gratitude for the incredible community that has supported our mission over the years. Together, we have brought hope and opportunity to vulnerable children and families around the world.

One of the questions I am most often asked is, “How can I help?” That is a great question and one I love to hear! There are so many meaningful ways to get involved and make an impact. One exciting opportunity that is happening right now is Wheels for the World, our signature fundraiser.

Participants can ride a bike — or anything with wheels — to raise awareness and support for our global bleeding disorders community. The ride is virtual so you can do it anywhere, anytime. As the saying goes, it is not the destination, but the journey. We have fun incentives and prizes along the way! Our goal is to have 25 states represented, 12 countries involved, 250 participants, and raise $250,000. So far, we have 16 states and 2 countries represented!

This year, as part of Wheels for the World, we are inviting participants to share “Why I Ride”, their personal inspiration for being involved. 

In that spirit, I would like to share why I ride. I ride for those who cannot. I ride for mothers caring for children without medication or access to treatment, many of whom suffer in silence. I cannot imagine how lonely, helpless, and overwhelming that must feel. It is challenging enough when there is treatment. I ride to give a voice to those who are unheard. And finally, I ride for my son, who has severe Hemophilia A and inspires me every day. 

Please join me and be part of this journey. Together, we can change lives and transform generations. Thank you for your continued support, encouragement, and compassion.

With gratitude,

Cindy

Click to watch Cindy share her "why"

Step by Step, With Effort, Discipline, and Faith: Manuel's Story

Through Save One Life sponsorship support and the work of the Fundación Apoyo al Hemofílico (FAHEM), Manuel was able to continue his education and work toward his dream of becoming a teacher. Today, he proudly shares his story in his own words:

“Since I was a child, I have lived with hemophilia — a condition that made my life very different from others. While other kids ran, played, and explored without fear, I had to be careful with every step. From a young age, I learned what pain felt like, what hospital visits meant, and how important it was to take care of myself.

But I also learned something more powerful: how to be strong.

Everything started to change when I was introduced to the ‘Save One Life’ program through the Fundación Apoyo al Hemofílico (FAHEM). That opportunity became a turning point in my life. With their support, I was able to continue my education, get the materials I needed, and most importantly, believe that I could have a better future.

Step by step, with effort, discipline, and faith, I began to move closer to my dreams.

Today, I am proud to say that I have achieved part of that dream — I am a mathematics teacher. Every time I step into my workplace, I remember the journey, the struggles, and the people who believed in me when I needed it most.

Because sometimes, a helping hand doesn’t just Save One Life… it saves a dream.”

In May, the Save One Life podcast featured two inspiring women from the global bleeding disorders community. Host Kai Sorensen spoke with Agnes Kisakye, founder of the Hemophilia Foundation of Uganda, and Andrea Trinidad, president of Hemophilia Advocates - Philippines (HAP), about their leadership, advocacy, and the impact they are making in their communities. Watch each of their episodes below!

From a Family's Fight to a Nations Future

Agnes shares her journey from her nephew Jovan’s unexplained bleeding diagnosis in 2004 to building a national movement that has helped identify more than 450 people with hemophilia across Uganda, support treatment centers, and train more than 620 healthcare professionals.

She also speaks candidly about the stigma, abandonment, and financial strain many Ugandan mothers face, and why HFU’s entrepreneurship training program for women is essential to long-term care.

Women Can Bleed Too

In this episode of Where Hope Begins: The Save One Life Podcast, host Kai Sorensen speaks with Andrea Hernandez Trinidad, president of Hemophilia Advocates – Philippines (HAP), about her family’s three-generation journey with bleeding disorders and her own diagnosis with von Willebrand disease and hemophilia A.



Andrea also shares how she helped grow HAP from a small Facebook group into a nationwide advocacy organization supporting thousands of people across the Philippines through education, peer support, and access to treatment.

Our Iceland Trek is coming up soon, and we couldn’t be more excited. Don’t miss your chance to join Save One Life this August for an unforgettable summer adventure through Iceland’s breathtaking mountains, glaciers, hot springs, and black-sand deserts.

Challenge yourself, experience one of the world’s most incredible landscapes, and make a difference. Spots are limited, so sign up today!

Ambassador Spotlight: Eliza VanZweden’s Journey from Patient to Advocate

Save One Life volunteer ambassador Eliza VanZweden knows firsthand the challenges of growing up with a rare bleeding disorder. Diagnosed with Glanzmann Thrombasthenia shortly after birth, Eliza spent much of her childhood feeling isolated — until discovering the power of community and advocacy. Today, she uses her voice to support women and girls with bleeding disorders around the world and help others feel seen, connected, and empowered.

Jeremy, our 2025 top fundraiser, pictured with his prize!

Register for Wheels for the World and ride with purpose while earning exciting fundraising incentives along the way. Every dollar raised helps support children and families affected by bleeding disorders around the world — and unlocks great gear as a thank-you for your impact.

• $250 – Custom Jersey

• $500 – Handlebar Bag

• $1,000 – Bike Jacket

• $2,000 – Garmin Watch


Our top fundraiser who raises a minimum of $3,000 will also win their choice of an electric, mountain, or road bike. Sign up today, start a team, and help make every mile count.

Check out Wheels for the World: A Journey of Inspiration, Hope, and Resilience, a documentary following Vaughn Ripley as he cycles 756 miles from Maine to West Virginia to raise awareness for individuals around the world still lacking access to lifesaving treatment. His journey is a powerful reminder of why this work matters and what can happen when our community comes together with a shared purpose. Thank you to Novo Nordisk for helping bring this story to life.

Living with a rare bleeding disorder impacts far more than physical health. For children and families around the world, the constant fear of untreated bleeds, pain, missed school, isolation, and uncertainty can take a profound emotional toll. During Mental Health Awareness Month, we are reminded that access to care, stability, and hope are essential not only for physical survival—but for emotional well-being too.

When you make a gift or sponsor a child through Save One Life, you help relieve the daily burden families carry. Your support provides access to treatment, transportation to medical care, educational opportunities, and critical family support systems that help children feel safer, healthier, and less alone. Most importantly, you remind a child and their family that someone in the world cares about their future. Together, we can help turn fear into hope—one child, one family, and one life at a time. Donate today!

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