Octapharma: Commitment to Women Living with Bleeding Disorders
Octapharma is proud to support the FAIR Time for Women Coalition. Long committed to improving treatments and enhancing life for all people living with bleeding disorders, we pay special attention to the needs of women, addressing gaps and opportunities in the diagnosis, care, and treatment of women and girls. We take pride in our far-ranging initiatives in support of women. Whether these are forums and retreats, the Factor My Way patient support program and resources, awareness campaigns, or research and clinical trials, we are here for you. The following are some of our own as well as Octapharma-supported and collaborative initiatives aimed at advancing the lives of women living with bleeding disorders:
Retreats for Women
Octapharma sponsors Females and Bleeding (FAB) Retreats several times a year that support women living with bleeding disorders and those who care for them. Women come together from all around the country at these retreats to connect, share their stories, learn the latest information about women and bleeding disorders, and generally enjoy time focused on each other and their needs.
Factor My Way and Resources for Women
Factor My Way® is a robust patient support program designed for those living with hemophilia A and von Willebrand disease (VWD). Program events and educational content include many topics and resources especially designed for women. These cover information about the impact of bleeding disorders on sexual health, bone health, puberty and menstruation, pregnancy and childbirth, parenting, advocacy, as well as menopause and aging. We offer materials about the presence of bleeding disorders in women and how they are diagnosed and treated. We include inspiring biographies and stories about women and how they have addressed the challenges of living with a bleeding disorder. Factor My Way also offers information about the latest research and findings on women and girls and bleeding disorders. See all the resources for women at Factor My Way.
When Octapharma designed the Factor My Way support program, we spoke with the bleeding disorders community and we listened. The insights we gathered form the foundation of the program’s components. Members can access financial assistance programs and opportunities, personal relationships and mentoring, informative and motivating live and on-demand events, as well as a library of practical educational resources. Members can also connect with an Octapharma Clinical Nurse Educator for additional support. Learn more about the program at www.factormyway.com and sign up to access members-only support and resources.
February: Women with Bleeding Disorders Month
Through the Factor My Way patient support program, Octapharma has designated February as Women with Bleeding Disorders Month. Our goal is to ensure dedicated time and focus on women before the shift into general awareness for the broader community in March — Bleeding Disorders Awareness Month. The February focus on women with bleeding disorders is designed to raise awareness of this important yet sometimes overlooked topic, as well as to empower and engage, increase visibility of women’s issues, reduce stigma, and improve diagnosis and treatment. Each year our month-long offerings have become more robust, including special events and programming for women living with bleeding disorders, and new educational content specific to women and girls.
Improving Diagnosis and Care for Women
The Algorithm for the Diagnosis and Management of Factor 8 Variants in Women and People with the Potential to Menstruate
Octapharma Clinical Nurse Educator Amber Federizo, DNP, Dr. Danielle Nance of Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center, and Ashley Gregory and Kimberly Haugstad of the FAIR Time for Women Coalition worked together to develop this screening and diagnostic decision tree, designed to assess factor 8 (F8) deficiency and hemophilia A in women and those with the capacity to menstruate. A first of its kind, the algorithm guides clinical decision making in the diagnosis and management of the comprehensive care needs for those with F8 deficiency, including standard of care screenings at various life stages for aging with a bleeding disorder. This collaborative project is intended to provide education to all about the diagnosis and treatment pathways available to ensure long-term quality of life.
Learning More: Research and Clinical Trials
Octapharma sponsors many research initiatives on bleeding disorders, among them, several focused on the special needs of women and girls, to help health care providers better understand how to identify and treat women with bleeding disorders. Here are just a few:
Von Willebrand Factor in Pregnancy (VIP) Study (VIP)
This is a prospective, open-label, cohort study in women with VWD using von Willebrand Factor (VWF) replacement therapy to maintain trough or minimum VWF levels of 100-150% for delivery and the immediate postpartum period, followed by levels of 50-100% for 5-10 days after delivery, depending upon the route of delivery. Objectives are to document the impact on rate of primary postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) and to document further effectiveness outcomes and safety for the last trimester of pregnancy, delivery, and after-birth management of bleeding.
The Empower Study
The EMPOWER study is a randomized clinical trial designed to assess the efficacy and safety of a specific plasma-derived VWF / Factor VIII (FVIII) concentrate to manage heavy menstrual bleeding in women with VWD.
The NuDimension Study
The goal of this international, open-label, non-controlled study is to evaluate dosing and outcomes in the management of women and girls with hemophilia A who require FVIII replacement while undergoing major surgery. Results will contribute to the evidence needed to generate specific treatment guidelines for these situations.
Octapharma: Our Promise to Women
Since 1983, as the first plasma company to develop safety mechanisms such as solvent detergent purification, Octapharma has been driven to provide safe and effective treatment for all. Lead by and for the community, Octapharma continues to advance care for women everywhere through community centered events, education, and research. It is not enough to simply raise awareness, together we take the steps to change lives. We are proud to work with organizations like the FAIR Time for Women Coalition to support the journey leading to a better tomorrow for those living with bleeding disorders.
To learn more about Octapharma, please visit www.octapharmausa.com.