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In this episode of Beyond the Bleeds, John and Heather talk with Matthew Barkdull, a Clinical Supervisor at The Center for Change, about the history of hemophilia.
Matthew talks about how he learned more about hemophilia after being diagnosed with a severe form of the condition. He shares stories from journals written by his grandfather in the 1940s. These journals show what life with hemophilia was like before today’s treatments.
The group talks about early records of hemophilia from long ago. These records show that families noticed bleeding problems being passed down, even before doctors knew why it happened. Over time, families and doctors learned that hemophilia runs in families.
John, Heather, and Matthew also talk about events that helped more people learn about hemophilia. They discuss early families in the United States, when the word “hemophilia” was first used, and how royal families in Europe helped bring attention to the condition.
This episode shows why the history of hemophilia matters. Learning about the past helps us understand care today. It also honors the strength of families who lived with bleeding disorders before treatments were available.
“Understanding where hemophilia came from helped me understand what my family went through. History gives context to the challenges, the progress, and the resilience of the people who lived it.” — Matthew Barkdull
This episode of Beyond the Bleeds explores:
- How hemophilia was understood long ago
- How families noticed bleeding problems being passed down
- What old records tell us about life with hemophilia
- Events that helped more people learn about hemophilia
- Why knowing the past helps care today
Looking for practical tips, expert advice, and a sense of community while living with or supporting someone with a bleeding disorder?
Subscribe to Beyond the Bleeds, the podcast that explores life with hemophilia, von Willebrand disease, and other rare conditions. Hosted by Heather Hansen and John Mazzariello, we share real stories and helpful conversations to support families at every stage.
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A Heritage of Courage – A Book Funding Opportunity!
A Heritage of Courage, by Matthew Dean Barkdull, is the first narrative history of hemophilia told through nearly 2,000 years of real human experience. Instead of focusing on medical language, this book centers on people. It shares the stories of families, the strength of the bleeding disorders community, and the scientific breakthroughs that changed lives.
By donating to this project, you are helping preserve an important and often overlooked history for future generations. Your support helps give a voice to a community that has long been misunderstood and underrepresented.
Donations will support the writing, fact-checking, and production of a thoughtfully illustrated book that brings hemophilia’s history to life and honors both the challenges and the progress made over time.
To learn more about this fundraising book project, please contact the author at 385-434-8136 or heritageofcourage@gmail.com.
