Genetic Diseases Act

In 1976, P.L. 94-278, the National Sickle Cell Anemia, Cooley's Anemia, Tay-Sachs, and Genetic Diseases Act, consolidated the separate 1972 acts for sickle cell anemia (P.L. 92-294) and Cooley's anemia (P.L. 92-414), and added six other genetic conditions. P.L. 94-278 aimed "to establish a national program to provide for basic and applied research, research training, testing, counseling, and information and education programs with respect to genetic diseases, including sickle cell anemia, Cooley's anemia, Tay-Sachs disease, cystic fibrosis, dysautonomia, hemophilia, retinitis pigmentosa, Huntington's chorea, and muscular dystrophy." In 1978, Congress amended the Act to include "genetic conditions" (P.L. 85-262). Congress appropriated more than $35 million over the course of three fiscal years (1979-1981) to implement the National Genetic Disease Act (P.L. 95-626).

Kennedy Sponsors HTCs

On January 15, 1975, Sen. Edward Kennedy introduces the creation of national hemophilia treatment centers within "An Act to amend the Public Health Service Act and related health laws to revise and extend the health revenue sharing program, the family planning programs, the community mental health centers program, the program for migrant health centers and community health centers, the National Health Service Corps program, and the programs for assistance for nurse training, and for other purposes."

Appropriation Bill

John Walstrom, the chairman of NHF, pens a letter to Congressman John Fogarty, in which he dubs 1962 "the most important year in the history of the foundation" given the "substantial appropriation for hemophilia research" in a bill that had just been passed by the House.

Roman Numerals

The International Committee for the Nomenclature of Blood Clotting Factors was established with one of its primary objectives the development of a common scientific terminology. The committee consisted of 23 members from 15 countries, all of whom  played significant roles in the discovery or application of knowledge regarding these factors.

Factor XII

Factor XII (also called Hageman factor) was first discovered in 1955 when a routine blood sample of  a man named John Hageman  had  prolonged clotting time in test tubes. Hageman was then examined by hematologist Oscar Ratnoff, who found that Hageman lacked a previously unidentified clotting factor, even though he had no hemorrhagic symptoms.

Christmas Disease

Hemophilia B is first referred to as "Christmas Disease" in a 1952 edition of the British Medical Journal. The condition was dubbed with the name not for the article's publication during the holiday season, but after it focused on a then five-year-old boy named Stephen Christmas.

The National Commission on AIDS

Donald Goldman, Esq., an attorney, who was active in the National Hemophilia Foundation and its chapters for over 25 years joins the National Commission on AIDS among other advocates and medical experts. He coordinated the National Hemophilia Foundation's efforts to improve the safety of the nation's blood supply, began many of its efforts in HIV risk reduction, and introduced initiatives to improve delivery of hemophilia and HIV services to minorities.

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