When Living With Hemophilia, It's All About Attitude

Inspirational video is launched on World Hemophilia Day to tell the story of one Canadian's triumph over adversity

TORONTO, April 17, 2014 /CNW/ - Attitude makes you a hero; that's why John Schmitke, Vice President and Chairman of the Youth Committee at the Canadian Hemophilia Society, Manitoba Chapter, is working to empower and inspire those with hemophilia by sharing his own positive approach to living with this blood disorder.

On World Hemophilia Day (April 17, 2014), John will share his inspirational message with Canadians through his video "Attitude Makes you a Hero".

"I want to show that with treatment and proper care, people with hemophilia can live active and healthy lives. While I never forget that I have the disorder, I know that through respecting my body, educating myself and working closely with my healthcare team, it won't keep me from doing the things I love," says John.

In 2013, John was selected to represent Canada as part of Bayer's worldwide Hemophilia Champions program, which features a collection of role models in the hemophilia community who inspire and encourage people of all ages to live the lives they choose.  The program will culminate at the 2014 World Federation of Hemophilia Congress in Melbourne, Australia in May, where John will share his personal story to motivate those living with this blood disorder.

According to Christine Keilback, Executive Director of the Canadian Hemophilia Society, Manitoba Chapter, "John is just one of 3,000 Canadians currently living with hemophilia. Every year there are more. John's story is an inspiration to parents and children alike, whose lives are turned up-side-down when a diagnosis occurs, as it demonstrates that the disorder does not have to define them nor does it have to keep them from living a healthy and fulfilling life."

Did you know?...

• Hemophilia is a lifelong, hereditary disorder.
• In 1 out of 3 cases, there is no history in the family; the cause is a new genetic mutation. Thus hemophilia can affect any family.
• The two types of hemophilia, A and B, affect 3,000 Canadians.
• The blood of people with hemophilia doesn't clot normally. They don't bleed more profusely or more quickly than others, but for a longer period if not treated.
• External wounds are not serious. Far more important is internal bleeding into joints and muscles that, if left untreated, can be painful and lead to severe crippling.
• When bleeding occurs in a vital organ it can be fatal.

For more information, please visit http://www.livingwithhemophilia.ca and http://www.hemophiliamb.ca/.

To join in the conversation on World Hemophilia Day with John and the Canadian Hemophilia Society, Manitoba Chapter, visit @frogseatflies and @HemophiliaMB.

About Bayer in Canada

Bayer Inc. is a Canadian subsidiary of Bayer AG and the corporate headquarters for the Canadian operations.  Founded in 1863, Bayer AG is an international research-based group with core businesses in healthcare, crop science and innovative materials committed to creating a better life for all through science.

In Canada, Bayer operates its healthcare business - Pharmaceuticals, Consumer Care, Diabetes Care, Animal Health and Radiology & Interventional - from its headquarters in Toronto, ON, and Bayer CropScience Inc. operates out of its head office in Calgary, AB. Together with its material science business, Bayer improves the quality of life for Canadians through products that fight disease, protect crops and animals, and provide high-performance materials for numerous daily life uses.

With more than 1,300 employees across the country, in 2013, Bayer had sales of $1.6 billion and invested $61 million in research and development in Canada. Globally, Bayer AG had sales of €40.2 billion and invested €3.2 billion in research and development.

For more information about Bayer, please visit www.bayer.ca.

About the Canadian Hemophilia Society

Founded in 1953, the Canadian Hemophilia Society (CHS) is a national voluntary health charity. Its mission is to improve the health and quality of life of all people with inherited bleeding disorders and ultimately to find a cure. Its vision is a world free from the pain and suffering of inherited bleeding disorders. The CHS is a founding member of the World Federation of Hemophilia.

Visit the CHS online at www.hemophilia.ca and http://www.hemophiliamb.ca/ (Manitoba Chapter).

Forward-Looking Statements
This release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Bayer Group or subgroup management. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. These factors include those discussed in Bayer's public reports which are available on the Bayer website at www.bayer.com. The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments.

SOURCE: Bayer Inc.

Katherine Heydon, Tel. [phone]
FleishmanHillard Canada
E-Mail: [email protected]

Emily Hanft, Tel. [phone] 
Bayer Inc.
E-Mail: [email protected]