New treatment means Sudbury youth can play contact sports, despite hemophilia

With the arrival of World Hemophilia Day, Amanda Hicks has the story of a 9-year-old Sudbury athlete whose diagnosis no longer means staying on the sidelines.

For generations, a diagnosis of severe Hemophilia A came with a strict set of rules -- especially it meant having to avoid contact sports where a single bump or bruise could lead to a medical emergency.

But nine-year-old Easton Velcich of Sudbury is proving that those old rules are being rewritten.

“I like playing hockey. Riding dirt bikes. Skateboarding, scootering, biking,” Easton said.

“And a lot of other things.”

It is a reality his mother, Keisha Velcich, once thought was impossible after watching her own father struggle with the effects of the rare blood disorder.

“I saw how much he struggled managing it himself,” Velcich said.

“I figured it’d be the same for Easton. Would he be treated differently? Would he be able to go to daycare? Could he do all these things kids do with no issues?”

Hemophilia A is a genetic disorder that prevents blood from clotting properly. Historically, high-impact activities were strictly forbidden because of the risk of internal bleeding into joints and muscles.

However, medical advancements in recent decades have transformed the treatment landscape. Easton is now able to manage his condition with a simple subcutaneous injection once every two weeks.

“He’ll eventually learn how to do it himself. It takes five minutes to do. It’s very quick,” Velcich said.

“It allows him to be able to play sports, to be able to be active, and injure himself like any kid would, and not have bleeds or those kinds of things.”

Health Sciences North has a hemophilia program, which offers lifelong support to individuals and their families across northeastern Ontario.

“There are two types of hemophilia,” said Tammy Bourque, program clinical lead.

Covers all of northeastern Ontario

“There’s hemophilia A and hemophilia B. Hemophilia A is a little bit more prevalent. Our program (covers) all of northeastern Ontario. We probably have about 40 to 50 people who have a rare bleeding disorder like hemophilia A or B.”

Bourque, who has been the clinical lead for 13 years, said outcomes for patients with blood disorders have drastically changed.

“People used to be in the hospital for days when they had a bleed into their joints,” Bourque said.

“Now, we have treatment where they can play sports. They can do the things that regular kids can do -- and adults, as well.”

Velcich works for the program as a data specialist.

“Treatment has come so far. It’s come so far in such a short period of time,” she said.

Sudbury’s Water Tower will be lit up in red the night of April 17 to mark World Hemophilia Day.