• Blood products are safer than ever, but keeping a watchful eye on them is key to ensuring their continued safety. Getting tested regularly for blood-borne infections is important. Know your test results–it matters to you and to your family.

• Effectively monitoring blood product safety is an ongoing process that requires long-term participation by as many individuals with bleeding disorders as possible.

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has implemented a national program called Universal Data Collection Program (UDC) to monitor blood safety in the bleeding disorders community.

• Free blood testing for hepatitis A, B, C, and HIV is available through participation in CDC's Universal Data Collection program offered by your hemophilia treatment center.

• Protecting UDC participant confidentiality is a top priority. All Universal Data Collection program participants' identifying information is held confidentially at the hemophilia treatment center.

• As a participant of Universal Data Collection program, samples of your blood are stored at CDC. This allows quick investigation of any new blood-borne infection that may arise. The results of testing are returned to participants through their HTC.

• Another monitoring service, the Patient Notification System, provides direct access to the latest withdrawals and recalls of infusion products. This system provides direct notification for all enrollees when a product is withdrawn orrecalled. To enroll, please call 1-888-UPDATE-U.

For more information on each fact sheet or to locate a hemophilia treatment center near you, contact NHF's information service, HANDI, at 800-42-HANDI or info@hemophilia.org.