wong’s phlebotomy occurred once every two weeks over a six-month period, but adams says that the length of treatment varies and is unique to each patient. the de-ironing procedure is similar to what happens when someone voluntarily donates blood, except the drawn blood is discarded as it is considered medical waste. patients who complete their treatment for hemochromatosis and who meet all the criteria can volunteer to be blood donors. in fact, adams says that donating blood several times a year is part of a hemochromatosis maintenance therapy.
a phlebotomy can treat hemochromatosis
kate carkner, president of the canadian hemochromatosis society has a personal connection to the cause. in 2013, her father passed away from complications of the disease soon after he was diagnosed, and she has since been involved with the organization, raising awareness about the disease, and supporting other families who are affected by it. carkner says that receiving a proper diagnosis is the main challenge for people who are affected by hemochromatosis.
“it can be difficult to diagnose because its symptoms are often associated with other diseases,” she says.
that means that some people may attribute their fatigue or joint pain to a busy schedule, their age, or the weight they might have gained over the years, delaying getting medical help. on the flip side, a doctor might agree with a patient’s self-assessment, leaving it up to them to achieve symptom relief with meaningful diet and lifestyle changes. carkner says that paying attention to the symptoms and a proper or early diagnosis can help patients avoid complications for the disease.
this year, the canadian hemochromatosis society, which offers information, programs, and services to people affected by the disease, is celebrating 40 years by embarking on a
cross-country bus tour
. carkner says that the goal of the tour is to help raise awareness and engage with the people they serve through information sessions, group blood donations and community events. the organization is raising funds to help ensure that the tour can reach everyone across the country.