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In Durban an Educational day was organized at the Science centre at Gateway. 32 Moms and PWH attended. The children were educated about Haemophilia by Dr Goga and two helpers who did a fantastic job. The children were given a puzzle to fill (see above) and a piece was missing, no 8 which represented factor 8. Then they had 2 different colour strips to represent Factor 8 and Ice. They squished everything and filled it in a red net – blood, made a parcel and tied it up to represent a blood clot –a very clever idea. The PWH learned a lot from this and enjoyed themselves thereafter at the Science centre. Dr Goga then spent time with the mums, educating them on Haemophilia, about a bleed, knee joints, bandaging the joints, ice applications, how to use a triangular bandage, how to self infuse etc. All in all a very informative day.

The purpose of the Reach For A Dream Foundation is to fulfil dreams for children of all income groups and of any race, colour or creed between the ages of 6 and 18 who have been diagnosed by a doctor as having a life-threatening illness such as cancer, leukaemia, cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy, kidney failure and blood disorders.

Reach For A Dream believes that no child should live without hope. Childhood must be the most magical Phase of the human existence, filled with dreams, aspirations and most of all . . . fun!

We seek to alleviate the strain that a life-threatening illness takes on these children and their families by providing the children with the opportunity to realise their dream. Reach For A Dream enriches children's lives by making dreams come true and as a result distracting them from the needles, medication and hospital environment. These young children are under extreme pressure to deal with these medical issues and are in desperate of our encouragement. Reach For A Dream offers these children a magical moment to regain their childhood that is being lost to an illness.

Please let us know if you are aware of a child with a life-threatening illness because we would like to make a difference in that child's life too!

South African swimming icon

Ryk Neethling

spent time in the pool at

Val de Vie

in Paarl, coaching children suffering from the bleeding disorder haemophilia, to raise awareness on

World Haemophilia Day.

"It was the first time in a pool for some of these boys, and it was amazing to see how quickly they gained confidence," said Neethling. "At first they'd hang on to me for dear life, but as they saw that they were safe and that they could float, and swim, such big smiles would spread over their faces! It was really moving."

The event was coordinated by the SA Haemophilia Foundation and the pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk, who approached Neethling to get involved. "Swimming is one of the best activities for people with haemophilia," explains Bradley Rayner, chairperson of the SA Haemophilia Foundation and someone who lives with the disorder himself. "The weightlessness in water means there is no risk of injury. And if you're going to show youngsters what swimming is all about, who better than the guy who won the gold? " Rayner says it was heart-warming to watch Neethling in the pool with the kids. "These children come from difficult circumstances, so it makes it all worthwhile when you see them honestly enjoy themselves for a change. Having someone coach them so gently and with such empathy made all the difference."

Haemophilia affects the clotting ability of blood, which can cause severe bleeding at the slightest injury. It is generally found in boys, though one in 1 000 people have some form of bleeding condition, and it can impair quality of living immensely when socioeconomic reasons prevent proper medical care.

"Thank you Ryk Neethling for allowing us to spend the day with you," wrote one mom in a thank-you note after the event. "It gave me great joy today to see my son so happy, it was like a piece of heaven even if just for a little while." And that is why he turned down that multimillion rand offer to go and swim in Qatar, Neethling explains. "I want to be here, where you can make a difference simply by giving of your time, and love. You don't have to be wealthy to make a difference in South Africa."

For more information on The South African Haemophilia Foundation or to find out how you can get involved in volunteering, call (021) 7857140 or email us here.

Please join and share your news, ideas and experiences regarding Haemophilia and other bleeding disorders.

The Central Newsletter February - March 2012 is now available to download.

Haemophilia Pamphlet - IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Please download this important pamphlet in the your preferred language:

Central newsletter December 2011 & January 2012

The latest Central newsletter is available for download here.

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