Reception in support of Haemophilia Foundation Queensland and Bleeding Disorders Awareness Month

President of Haemophilia Foundation Queensland, Mr David Stephenson, and Executive Board Members; distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen.

I begin by acknowledging the original custodians of the lands around Brisbane, the Turrbal and Jagera people, and extend respectful greetings to Elders, past, present and emerging.

It gives Graeme and I enormous pleasure to welcome you to Government House this evening to honour the Haemophilia Foundation Queensland, and to help launch Bleeding Disorders Awareness month.

This is my first event as Patron, and I am extremely proud to continue the tradition of Vice-Regal support to help promote greater understanding about haemophilia, von Willebrand, and other inherited bleeding disorders.

As doctors, Graeme and I are acutely aware that living with these conditions is often fraught with challenges.  Sufferers of all ages may be faced with painful complications which can be debilitating — and at times — sadly life threatening. 

However, we also know that those individuals who are supported by loving families, devoted friends and dedicated medical teams, are more able to overcome the burden of living with a bleeding disorder. This, in turn, gives them the chance to live happy and fulfilling lives.

One Community, Many Faces — is the theme of this year’s Bleeding Disorders Awareness month.  It is a theme which so aptly describes the great diversity of the many individuals, supporters and health professionals who are united by the need to raise awareness about inherited bleeding disorders.

This special community is represented by the many kind and generous people I see standing before me today.

I thank each of you for your selflessness and tireless efforts to promote this worthy cause. Your hard work helps to ensure that people diagnosed with a bleeding disorder receive the quality care and latest treatments they so rightly deserve.

While the general population may have heard of haemophilia, there remains much misunderstanding in the community.

In April this year, on World Haemophilia Day, we were reminded of the global impact of inherited bleeding disorders, and of the need to strive to provide better access for all who require care and treatment.

I commend Haemophilia Foundation Queensland, the Board, staff and volunteers for their commitment in raising awareness, and for their ongoing advocacy and promotion.

Finally, I am very pleased to have this opportunity to present Haemophilia Foundation Queensland President, Mr David Stephenson, with a Certificate of Patronage.  I hope together we can continue to forge an ever-brighter future for those living with an inherited bleeding disorder.

Thank you.