Moms Raise "Red Flag" About the Dangers of Widely Undiagnosed Bleeding Disorder

While an estimated 2.8 million Americans are affected by the most common hereditary bleeding disorder, von Willebrand disease (VWD), most don't even know they have it. VWD affects both men and women, but according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) it takes a woman an average of 16 years to receive a diagnosis. Now a group of mothers with VWD have joined together to focus attention on the need for more communication between mothers and their children about signs, symptoms and potentially severe health consequences of this disease.

"Growing up I never knew that what I was experiencing - the bruising and the heavy periods that would last for days - had a name," said Jeanette Cesta, 45, who wasn't diagnosed until she was in her 20s. "Because of my diagnosis I was able to ensure that my three children were tested early and received the proper treatment for their VWD."

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