TWO MOMS DISCUSS KIDS, SUMMER CAMP, AND LIFE WITH HEMOPHILIA

Camps are great places for kids to exercise their independence.

Shannon: Did you or your son have concerns when he first went to camp?

Dana: Kevin was fearless! He's independent. He was 10, and ready to roll. He was the kid on the bus saying, "Don't hug me." I was probably more nervous than he was. When Kevin started going to camp about 10 years ago, the Internet wasn't like it is today and we weren't able to have communication. I couldn't see those happy pictures posted.

Shannon: Were you comforted in knowing the staff?

Dana: Honestly, we didn't belong to an HTC at that time, so we weren't that connected to the community or familiar with the staff at camp. We now have complete trust in the staff and communications have improved so much. Things should be easier for you nowadays. How do you think Payton will face the separation issue?

Shannon: Well, Payton does have concerns about being homesick, and honestly, so do I. I have 3 boys, and he is the one who likes to be with the family at home. Also, our camp does not allow siblings who don't have hemophilia. So it will definitely be a learning experience. What did you want Kevin to learn from his experience?

Dana: That he was no different than anyone else dealing with the same issues and that hemophilia didn't have to be a deterrent in his life. Also, I hoped that he'd strengthen his relationships with others who have hemophilia. Everyone has something they have to deal with in life; hemophilia is just one challenge. A lot of kids will learn to be more independent and self-infuse for example. Does Payton self-infuse? Do you expect him to learn how to self-infuse at camp?

Shannon: I do the actual infusion now; he mixes the factor. So yes, I'm expecting Payton to self-infuse at camp. In your experience, can you tell me what are the most important qualities I should be looking for in a camp?

Dana: I would say the camp should be highly organized and educational as well, with communication before, during, and after the camp experience. The camp should be around for a number of years. And above all, tons of fun.

Shannon: I think Payton would appreciate the fun part.

Dana: Right! They're kids first and foremost, and if it's not fun, none of the other benefits will really matter.

What Is BeneFIX?

BeneFIX® Coagulation Factor IX (Recombinant) is an injectable medicine that is used to help control and prevent bleeding in people with hemophilia B. Hemophilia B is also called congenital factor IX deficiency or Christmas disease.

BeneFIX is NOT used to treat hemophilia A.

Important Safety Information for BeneFIX

• BeneFIX is contraindicated in patients who have manifested life-threatening, immediate hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis, to the product or its components, including hamster protein.
• Call your health care provider right away if your bleeding is not controlled after using BeneFIX.
• Allergic reactions may occur with BeneFIX. Call your health care provider or get emergency treatment right away if you have any of the following symptoms: wheezing, difficulty breathing, chest tightness, your lips and gums turning blue, fast heartbeat, facial swelling, faintness, rash or hives.
• Your body can make antibodies, called “inhibitors,” which may interfere with the effectiveness of BeneFIX.
• If you have risk factors for developing blood clots, such as a venous catheter through which BeneFIX is given by continuous infusion, BeneFIX may increase the risk of abnormal blood clots. The safety and efficacy of BeneFIX administration by continuous infusion have not been established.
• Some common side effects of BeneFIX are nausea, injection site reaction, injection site pain, headache, dizziness and rash.

Please see full Prescribing Information for BeneFIX.

What Is XYNTHA?

Xyntha® Antihemophilic Factor (Recombinant), Plasma/Albumin-Free is indicated for the control and prevention of bleeding episodes in patients with hemophilia A (congenital factor VIII deficiency or classic hemophilia) and for surgical prophylaxis in patients with hemophilia A.

XYNTHA does not contain von Willebrand factor and, therefore, is not indicated in von Willebrand's disease.

Important Safety Information for XYNTHA

• Allergic reactions are possible with XYNTHA. Signs of an allergic reaction may include hives, rash with itching, chest tightness, difficulty breathing, faintness, or fast heartbeat. XYNTHA contains trace amounts of hamster protein. You may develop an allergic reaction to these proteins. Tell your doctor if you have had an allergic reaction to hamster protein.
• Call your doctor right away if bleeding is not controlled after using your factor VIII replacement therapy; this may be a sign of an inhibitor. Inhibitors have been observed in patients receiving factor VIII products, including XYNTHA.
• The most common adverse reaction in study 1 (safety and efficacy study) is headache (24% of subjects) and in study 2 (surgery study) is fever (41% of subjects). Other common side effects of XYNTHA include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or weakness.
• XYNTHA is an injectable medicine administered by intravenous (IV) infusion. Local irritation may occur when infusing XYNTHA after reconstitution in XYNTHA Solofuse.

Please see full Prescribing Information for XYNTHA.

RUS277708-01