Bayer's Second Annual Virtual Walk for Hemophilia Raises Funds, Generates Excitement in the Hemophilia Community

WAYNE, N.J., Nov. 8, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- At the National Hemophilia Foundation (NHF) Annual Meeting in Orlando today, Bayer HealthCare, the NHF and Save One Life celebrated the successful conclusion of the second annual Virtual Walk for Hemophilia, an engaging, online contest designed to raise awareness and funds for those living with bleeding disorders.

With an innovative spin on the fundraising walk idea, The Virtual Walk for Hemophilia (www.walkforhemophilia.com) employs a website where people interested in supporting those with hemophilia can virtually "walk" online.  Virtual walkers choose which NHF chapter they support, and create a customized avatar to represent themselves in the virtual walk.  At the time the Virtual Walk ended on November 6th, more than 32,000 people – those with and without hemophilia – had signed up. To put this number in perspective, the total number of people with hemophilia in the U.S. is currently estimated to be 15,000-20,000.

Bayer provided $30,000 in sponsorship funds to the national office of the NHF and an additional $33,500 in sponsorship funds to the five chapters with the greatest number of walkers, for a total of more than $60,000. Virtual walkers also had a chance to double the points they contributed to their chapter, by participating in an actual, physical fundraising walk.  This way, Bayer was able to provide a Virtual Walk, while also supporting chapters' own efforts at hosting fundraising walks throughout the country.

"Bayer's Virtual Walk was an exciting initiative for us this year," said Cindy Komar, Executive Director, Arizona Hemophilia Foundation.  "Encouraging people to sign up for the Walk was a great way for us to engage with our constituents, and it reenergized our whole team.  We're grateful for the sponsorship funds Bayer provided to us, and know that they will help us do even more for the hemophilia community in the coming year."

The chapters receiving sponsorship funds are:

First place: Arizona Hemophilia Association, with 9,004 walkers, received $15,000

Second place: Bleeding Disorders Alliance Illinois, with 8,714 walkers, received $10,000

Third place: Texas Central Hemophilia Association, with 6,833 walkers, received $5,000

Fourth place:  Nevada Chapter, National Hemophilia Foundation, with 3,625 walkers received $2,500

Fifth place: Nebraska Chapter, National Hemophilia Foundation, with 2,083 walkers, received $1,000

In addition to the sponsorship funds going to the NHF and its chapters, Bayer provided $7,000 in sponsorship funds to Save One Life, a non-profit, international organization that offers people and organizations the opportunity to sponsor a child or adult with a bleeding disorder in a developing country. In total, Bayer provided more than $70,000 in sponsorship funds to organizations in the hemophilia community.

According to Leslie Donato, Vice President/General Manager, Hematology, Bayer HealthCare, "In just its second year, The Virtual Walk for Hemophilia has become a fun and important way for the hemophilia community to come together.  We're gratified to see a strong response again this year, and are especially pleased to be able to provide this support to Save One Life and to the NHF and its participating chapters."

About Hemophilia A

Hemophilia A, also known as factor VIII deficiency or classical hemophilia is largely an inherited bleeding disorder in which one of the proteins needed to form blood clots in the body is missing or reduced. Hemophilia A is the most common type of hemophilia and is characterized by prolonged or spontaneous bleeding, especially into the, joints, muscles or internal organs. Approximately 400,000 people around the world have hemophilia. 

About Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc. is the U.S.-based pharmaceuticals business of Bayer HealthCare LLC, a subsidiary of Bayer AG. Bayer HealthCare is one of the world's leading, innovative companies in the healthcare and medical products industry, and combines the activities of the Animal Health, Consumer Care, Medical Care, and Pharmaceuticals divisions. As a specialty pharmaceutical company, Bayer HealthCare provides products for General Medicine, Hematology, Neurology, Oncology and Women's Healthcare. The company's aim is to discover and manufacture products that will improve human health worldwide by diagnosing, preventing and treating diseases.

BAYER® and the Bayer Cross® are registered trademarks of Bayer.

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SOURCE Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc.