April 17, 2026, is World Hemophilia Day, and this year the theme is “Diagnosis: First step to care.” More than 1.1 million people worldwide are living with hemophilia. Approximately 30,000 people live with the condition in the United States. However, according to the World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH) — which is sponsoring World Hemophilia Day — as many as 75 percent of those living with hemophilia are undiagnosed and remain untreated.

World Hemophilia Day aims to build awareness of hemophilia and support for people with this inherited bleeding disorder and similar conditions. To raise the rate of diagnosis, the WFH is advocating for two main goals. One goal is to improve diagnostic skills among healthcare providers. The other goal is to provide laboratories with more advanced tools to diagnose hemophilia. Ultimately, the goal is treatment for all.

By participating in World Hemophilia Day, you can help promote this year’s goal to improve diagnosis rates so that people with hemophilia get the care they need. Here are some ways you can get involved in World Hemophilia Day and support this important initiative.

1. Participate in Local World Hemophilia Day Activities

Look into World Hemophilia Day activities in your area. The WFH has listings for national member organizations and treatment centers around the world.

You can contact local hemophilia organizations or treatment centers to let them know you’re interested in participating in activities for World Hemophilia Day. You can also inquire about opportunities to volunteer at a local event or another type of activity. It’s a good idea to reach out soon if you’re interested in volunteering because planning for World Hemophilia Day will start well in advance of April.

2. Spread the Word on Social Media

An easy way to get involved in World Hemophilia Day is to share information on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. To raise awareness of World Hemophilia Day, you can share important links about hemophilia and other inherited bleeding disorders to highlight the need for diagnosis and treatment.

There are colorful posters and logos for World Hemophilia Day that you can share on social media. These materials highlight this year’s theme. You can share them on the day of and on the days leading up to World Hemophilia Day. Offer suggestions, with links to World Hemophilia Day resources, to tell people in your social networks how to get involved.

Be sure to use the hashtags #WHD2026, #WorldHemophiliaDay, and #LightItUpRed on your social media posts to make them more visible.

3. Take Part in the ‘Light It Up Red!’ Campaign

Light It Up Red! is a campaign designed by the WFH to encourage local buildings, landmarks, and monuments to light up their sites in red on World Hemophilia Day. This showcases their support for the hemophilia and bleeding disorders community and helps raise awareness about this disease. More than 175 landmarks have participated in this campaign across the globe.

A landmark might be a government building or another prominent building, a public monument, a fountain, or a gateway to a park. Lighting up a landmark in a particular color has become a popular way to bring awareness to important causes — and hemophilia advocates use the color red.

You can get involved in this year’s campaign by writing to local landmarks, asking them to Light It Up Red! and shine a light on hemophilia on April 17. The WFH has a sample message you can use or edit as you like. Be sure to send it in advance so that your local landmark has time to plan for Light It Up Red! And if any landmarks in your area participate in the campaign, share a photo on social media.

4. Donate Money to a Hemophilia Organization

By donating money to a local, national, or international hemophilia organization, you can help support research, education, access to treatment, and efforts to improve rates of diagnosis. There are many organizations doing this important work. Examples include:

• Hemophilia Federation of America
• World Federation of Hemophilia
• National Bleeding Disorders Foundation
• Hope for Hemophilia
• CHES Foundation
• The Coalition for Hemophilia B

In some cases, a donation may be tax-deductible. This will usually be noted on the donation page or on their website. If not, you can contact the organization to ask directly.

5. Reach Out to Your Local Government

Your elected government officials can do a lot to promote World Hemophilia Day. Writing a letter or email to your local representatives can help make them aware of World Hemophilia Day and encourage them to officially recognize it.

In your message, it’s important to share a link to World Hemophilia Day and highlight some of the facts mentioned on the website. You may also want to share a personal story, or the story of a loved one, about living with hemophilia. You can also mention the importance of prompt diagnosis and hemophilia treatment. Your letter can specifically ask your local policymakers to formally acknowledge World Hemophilia Day.

6. Share Your Hemophilia Story

Everyone’s story about their hemophilia, or the hemophilia of a loved one, is unique. The World Federation of Hemophilia has been collecting individual stories about bleeding disorders in recent years to raise awareness of the different ways hemophilia can impact someone’s life.

For this year’s World Hemophilia Day, the WFH is asking people to share stories about how getting a diagnosis and having effective treatment have changed their quality of life. You can see examples of stories other people have shared about their hemophilia or another bleeding disorder. You can also submit your story.

7. Sign Up and Stay Informed

Stay up to date on World Hemophilia Day by signing up for the WFH newsletter. You may learn about other ways to get involved. You can also gain valuable knowledge and updates about hemophilia advocacy efforts to share with your personal networks.

Join the Conversation

On MyHemophiliaTeam, people share their experiences with hemophilia, get advice, and find support from others who understand.

How will you be participating in World Hemophilia Day this year? Let others know in the comments below.