Glenna's Story

A Story of Strength and Support

I was diagnosed with von Willebrand disease shortly after my sister was diagnosed in 1964. When I was younger I had very heavy periods for which there was no treatment. I had a hysterectomy when I was 32 because that was all the doctors knew to do at that time. Prior to the surgery, I was bleeding 20 days each month.

I also have joint bleeds, with my knees being my target joints (the joints bleed most frequently). I've had a head bleed, gastrointestinal bleeds, muscle bleeds, and I nearly bled to death following a tonsillectomy.

Now I self-infuse with Humate-P^®. It keeps me going and can make the pain of a bleed much shorter in duration. Best of all, I like to feel like I am in charge of myself! Before I had a reliable form of treatment, it was a scary thing to have a bleeding episode. Now with home health care and self-infusion, treatment is easy and routine.

I feel very fortunate. I have an excellent hematologist in whom I have complete trust. The staff at my treatment center is qualified and caring. I have the support of my husband and grown children. I have the support of many other friends with von Willebrand disease. I have strength and a strong will to live a normal and productive life, and this strength comes from my faith in the Lord to never take me where He cannot keep me.

Although I certainly would not choose to live with a bleeding disorder, it has made me a better and more compassionate person. I live each day to the fullest and never take the gift of life for granted.

Learn more about Humate-P^®.

Please see the full prescribing information for Humate-P^®.

About Glenna

Glenna is a woman living with von Willebrand disease, type 1. She and her sister were both diagnosed with the disease in the 1960s.

Important Safety Information About Humate-P^®

Humate-P^® is contraindicated in individuals with a history of anaphylactic or severe systemic response to antihemophilic factor or von Willebrand factor preparations, or to any of its components.

Thromboembolic events have been reported in VWD patients receiving coagulation factor replacement, especially in the setting of known risk factors for thrombosis. Caution should be exercised and antithrombotic measures considered.

Humate-P^® is derived from human plasma. The risk of transmission of infectious agents, including viruses and, theoretically, the Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) agent, cannot be completely eliminated.

The most common adverse reactions reported in patients receiving Humate-P^® are allergic-anaphylactic reactions, including urticaria, chest tightness, rash, pruritus, edema, shock, chills and fever, and hypervolemia. For patients undergoing surgery, the most common adverse reactions are postoperative wound or injection-site bleeding.

Please see full prescribing information for Humate-P^®.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.