Novo Nordisk Invites the Community to Unmask Everyday Heroes in Recognition of World Hemophilia Day

#HemoHero stories to illustrate diverse experiences and inspiring acts of people affected by hemophilia

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Apr 17, 2017, 09:33 ET

PLAINSBORO, N.J., April 17, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Not every hero wears a cape or has super powers. In the hemophilia community, many perform heroic acts to help knock down barriers and unite each other daily. This World Hemophilia Day, observed on April 17, Novo Nordisk invites the community to celebrate everyday heroes who inspire them. Starting today, visitors to the Novo Nordisk Changing Hemophilia Facebook page can nominate a personal #HemoHero whose courage and extraordinary deeds save the day, every day. Novo Nordisk will help honor these heroes by featuring submitted stories and photos on the page.

"Each person in the hemophilia community has a hero who inspires them to think differently about living with or caring for someone with a chronic condition and to be proud of their own accomplishments," said Bill Breitenbach, Vice President, Biopharmaceuticals Portfolio, Novo Nordisk. "World Hemophilia Day is a special time to commend these heroes, showcase the resilience of the community, and reaffirm our commitment to those living with hemophilia."

Many people affected by hemophilia – a life-long condition – show strength and resilience each day, with support from caregivers and friends who make a difference in their lives. The #HemoHero initiative honors the many faces of hemophilia by sharing their unique stories with the community and elevating this year's World Hemophilia Day theme, "Hear Their Voices."

To nominate a #HemoHero, visitors to the Changing Hemophilia Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/cpih.us/) can send a private message with a photo of their hemophilia hero, along with a brief overview (75 words or less) of what moved them to highlight their hero. Heroes come in many forms – including patients, caregivers, mentors, family and friends – so no achievement or community effort is too small. Novo Nordisk will feature select #HemoHero stories and photo submissions on the Facebook page throughout the summer.

Hemophilia is a rare, genetic bleeding disorder that affects about 20,000 people in the United States.¹ The disorder prevents blood from clotting normally and may cause internal bleeding that, if left untreated, can lead to permanent damage.¹While hemophilia primarily affects males, females can carry and pass on the gene, and about one-third of women carrying the gene experience bleeding symptoms.²

In addition to the #HemoHero initiative, Novo Nordisk offers ongoing support through patient- and caregiver-focused programs. HeroPath™ is an initiative that offers life coaching and peer support to teens and young adults between the ages of 16 and 25 living with hemophilia. RareBleedingDisorders.com is a platform to share key news updates from hemophilia medical meetings and conferences as well as digital resources developed by the hemophilia community.

For more information about Novo Nordisk's commitment to Changing Hemophilia^®, please visit novonordisk.us.

About Novo Nordisk
Novo Nordisk is a global health care company with more than 90 years of innovation and leadership in diabetes care. This heritage has given us experience and capabilities that also enable us to help people defeat other serious chronic conditions: hemophilia, growth disorders and obesity. With U.S. headquarters in Plainsboro, N.J., Novo Nordisk Inc. has nearly 5,000 employees in the United States. For more information, visit novonordisk.us or follow us on Twitter: @novonordiskus.

References

National Hemophilia Foundation website. Fast Facts. Retrieved March 1, 2017.https://www.hemophilia.org/About-Us/Fast-Facts
Hemophilia Federation of America website. Bleeding Disorders. Are women affected by bleeding disorders? Retrieved March 1, 2017.
http://www.hemophiliafed.org/bleeding-disorders/can-women-have-bleeding-disorders/

Changing Hemophilia^® is a registered trademark of Novo Nordisk Health Care AG.

HeroPath™ is a trademark of Likone Corporation.

Novo Nordisk is a registered trademark of Novo Nordisk A/S.

SOURCE Novo Nordisk