Dear friends, First, let me thank you for taking some time off to read this letter. I hope you will be able to understand haemophilia better when you have finished reading this. Haemophilia is a rare inherited disorder that affects only the male. It is passed down from mother to son. The affected person suffers from deficiency of a clotting factor. This results in the inability of the blood to form clots normally for bleeding to stop. So he gets bruises easily. In addition, bleeding also frequently occurs in the muscles and joints with or without injury. When bleeding occurs in the vital organs like the head, neck or abdomen, it can be fatal. No cure is available for haemophilia unfortunately, even though there is a lot of research going on of genetic engineering and gene therapy. However, there is some form of treatment available to stop or prevent bleeding. It is to replace the missing factor in the blood. This treatment is frequently needed and it is a life long requirement. Expensive indeed is the treatment and most patients cannot afford it. The various hospitals have offered some subsidy (between 50% to 65%). Nevertheless, the cost is still very high for most patients. The Haemophilia Society of Singapore has taken up the task of helping the members in the form of an additional subsidy. We have set up Endowment Funds at NUH, SGH and KK Hospital over the last 10 years for this purpose. In order to have sufficient money in these Funds, we have to rely on generous and kind donations from public well-wishers. We are very thankful to the many who have helped us in the past in one way or other. We hope you can also join in and contribute generously towards this worthy cause. A haemophiliac can and should lead a normal life if he receives adequate and proper treatment. He does not have to miss school or work. He does not have to suffer pain. He does not have to become a cripple. He can contribute to society like any other person. He can enjoy life like others. But he needs your help. A little help can make a lot of difference. With subsidy from the hospitals and the Haemophilia Society of Singapore, a haemophiliac still has to spend about $300 to $500 a month for his treatments. This can be a tremendous burden on the family. We have also set up a welfare fund to help families in financial difficulties. Your contribution and donation can mean a lot to them. If you want to make a donation, please make your cheque payable to THE HAEMOPHILIA SOCIETY OF SINGAPORE. Please supply your NRIC number so that we could issue you a tax-exempt receipt. Such donation will be automatically deducted in your tax return by the Tax Authority of Singapore for tax computation purpose. We will issue you a tax-exempt receipt. Besides financial support, there are other forms of support you may avail to us. Feel free to talk to us at FARRER ROAD POST OFFICE, P.O. BOX 273, SINGAPORE 915810 TEL: 62358166 (DR TAN HOOI HWA) TEL/FAX: 64490289 (DR GAN KIM LOON) Thank you! Yours sincerely, DR GAN KIM LOON PRESIDENT http://www.haemophilia.org.sg/Fundraising/OurAppeal.html | 
