Haemophilia Foundation Victoria (HFV), formerly The Haemophilia Society of Victoria, celebrated its 60th birthday in 2014, making it one of the oldest foundations of its kind in the world.
The idea for a foundation came from Dr Ronald Sawers, a Haematologist, who told parents of the value of the Haemophilia Society he had seen in London. Dr Sawers addressed a public meeting on 13th July 1954 and the Society was born.
A committee was elected and held its first meeting immediately following that public gathering. A number of those parents who attended the first meeting are still members of the foundation, as are their sons.
Dr Sawers was medical advisor to HFV until his retirement from The Alfred in 1984. Sadly Dr Sawers passed away in 2010. Professor Henry Ekert was HFV’s first medical advisor from the Royal Children’s Hospital until his retirement in 2004. Professor Ekert is still a valued friend of the Foundation.
HFV is run by a voluntary committee of up to 11 elected members.
A management sub-committee oversees the office staff. Haemophilia and Hepatitis C social workers are available at Alfred Health.
There is a comprehensive resource library at the office and a quarterly newsletter is distributed to members.
HFV continues to work to maintain the aims of the inaugural committee – providing support and information to people with haemophilia and associated bleeding disorders.