Message from Bob Rogers, Executive Director CHS

Posted May 25th, 2008 by webadmin

Very Common, Yet Virtually Unknown

Potentially Fatal, Yet Easily Treatable

Hemochromatosis – Canada’s Most Common Genetic Disorder

A Message from Bob Rogers, Executive Director of the Canadian Hemochromatosis Society

Hereditary Hemochromatosis (HHC) is the most common genetic disorder affecting Canadians. It is a crippling, potentially fatal condition caused by a defect of iron metabolism that leads to iron overload in vital organs, joints and tissues. The complications caused by the disorder are preventable if a diagnosis is made before the excess iron causes irreversible damage, and effective treatment exists.

The prevalence of Hemochromatosis is one in 300 in the general population and one in 9 are carriers of one of the genes responsible for hemochromatosis. This means at least 100,000 Canadians have the genetic make-up to develop the most common form of hemochromatosis.

Treatment involves the regular removal of blood (a phlebotomy) which is like a regular donation but with a higher frequency. As the body makes new blood cells to replace those lost during phlebotomy, iron is pulled out from storage from the organs, tissues and joints and, over time, body iron levels return to normal.

Our Purpose

The Canadian Hemochromatosis Society was established to create awareness about this little-known, but common disorder so that early diagnosis would become the rule rather than the exception and needless suffering and premature death from undiagnosed hemochromatosis would become a thing of the past. In the meantime, we are here to provide information and support to those adversely affected by iron overload.

What this Blog Will Aim to Do

Each week we will publish more information about Hereditary Hemochromatosis (HHC) and how it affects people across Canada. We will provide video, pictures, personal testimonies, news coverage, special events, and anything vital to spreading the word.

We believe that the more we can do to increase the awareness of this disorder and publicize the information, we will eventually ensure that everyone in Canada will know about this disorder and receive the medical care and attention they require.

For more information go to our website which is: www.toomuchiron.ca.