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WHY BLEEDING
DISORDERS?

Living with a bleeding disorder can be incredibly hard and isolating, especially in low and middle-income countries. However, it does not have to be.

WHAT IS A BLEEDING DISORDER?

Almost always inherited, a bleeding disorder is a condition that interferes with the body’s blood clotting processes. Most bleeding disorders result from a deficiency in proteins in the blood called clotting factor. When not properly treated, bleeding disorders can lead to severe prolonged bleeding after an injury or surgery, which can be harsh on both the body and mind. Even a minor bump or bruise can become a serious issue for someone with a bleeding disorder.

WHY DEVELOPING COUNTRIES?

People in developing countries have limited or no access to health services compared to those in higher income countries. Our founder Laurie visited developing countries from 1996 to 2000. Most patients Laurie encountered lived in households that earned about $1 a day. Laurie modeled us after other child sponsorship agencies, believing that families with hemophilia in wealthier countries would be willing to help people with hemophilia in developing countries access resources and health care.

FOUNDING STORY

OUR FOUNDER

 

Raising a child is a challenging endeavor. Raising a child with a genetic condition presents even more obstacles. Our founder, Laureen A. Kelley, faced such obstacles as a mother to a child with hemophilia. Laurie wanted to ensure patients had access to the vital resources needed to live independently and reach their full potential.

 

In 1996 Laurie took the initiative by traveling to developing countries to coach leaders on starting national hemophilia foundations and acquiring essential medicine called factor.

FOUNDING STORY

THE BIRTH OF SAVE ONE LIFE

Two meetings catalyzed Save One Life. In 1999, “hemo-mom,” Lisa O’Connner wrote a letter inquiring about sponsoring a child with hemophilia in another country.

Later that year, Laurie visited the two-bedroom home of an impoverished hemophiliac family in Karachi who only needed $20 to send their eldest child to school. Save One Life was started with the idea of connecting those who needed help to those who wanted to help. In 2000, Save One Life was incorporated as a nonprofit to continue championing the global bleeding disorder community.

FOUNDING STORY

ONE LIFE AT A TIME

Often, those small acts of kindness lift us and empower us to do great things.

Helping a life can save a life.

Helping one person creates a butterfly effect beyond comprehension. Every action counts. We are relentless in our mission to save the world, one life at a time.

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OUR MISSION

Empowering individuals and families affected by bleeding disorders in developing countries through direct financial assistance and access to medical treatment.

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OUR VISION

All people with bleeding disorders in developing countries have the medical and economic resources necessary to live independent and productive lives.

MISSION GOALS

  • To raise public awareness about people with bleeding disorders in the developing world
  • To identify children and youth with bleeding disorders who need aid in developing countries
  • To provide financial support for beneficiaries’ basic needs and preparation for adulthood
  • To offer sponsors and donors an opportunity to make a direct difference in the lives of people with bleeding disorders in developing countries
  • To partner with and mentor local bleeding disorder organizations through program funding

PROGRAM STATS
THAT COUNT UP

Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going. Even though we have much work left to do, we’re incredibly proud of our success thus far.

2275

Sponsorships

510

Scholarships

310

Micro-Enterprise Grants

50

Camp Grants

171

IU Medicine

$45M

Amount Donated

FAQ’S

We help people living with bleeding disorders in low and middle income countries thrive. We sponsor individuals, provide scholarships, fund camps, make grants, and donate medicine called a factor. We do this because we believe that with access, there is opportunity.

We currently work in 15 low and middle income countries. For more information see where we work. We select countries based on the existence of an established patient organization that is recognized as a nonprofit in their respective country. These become our program partners. The country must also be recognized as a low or lower-middle income country based on World Bank criteria at the time of enrollment.

Our founder is the mother of a child with hemophilia. She understands through first-hand experience the challenges bleeding disorders present without treatment. But we know people thrive when they can access what they need.