FACTOR
GEORGE
Our mission is to raise awareness of severe hemophilia and other bleeding disorders through education and advocacy. We strive to empower individuals and communities with knowledge and resources, promoting better understanding and management of these conditions.
JOIN US FOR WORLD HEMOPHILIA DAY APRIL 17, 2026
George’s Hemophilia Journey: Growing Into Toddlerhood
George’s hemophilia journey continues as he ventures deeper into toddlerhood. If you have ever met a second child, you probably already know the kind of energy we are talking about.
George is rambunctious, determined, fiercely independent, and completely fearless. He runs, climbs, wrestles with his big brother, and crashes through the day with the joyful chaos only a 2.5 year old boy can create. When he falls, he usually just looks up and says, “I bonked,” then hops right back up and takes off again.
Those are wonderful qualities in any toddler. They feel even more meaningful in a little boy living with hemophilia.
Thankfully, George’s journey so far has been relatively uneventful when it comes to major bleeding episodes. As we move into this time of year, we find ourselves feeling incredibly grateful for the people who help make that possible. His care teams have been a huge part of that.
George continues to see the Essentia Hemophilia Team at Essentia Health in Duluth, where we meet with Dr. Kirkham and his team at least twice a year. They have been an incredible support system for our family and have helped guide us through every stage of George’s care. We also visit the Children’s Hemophilia Treatment Center in Minneapolis once a year, which gives us another layer of reassurance that George is receiving the best care possible.
Right now our biggest challenge is actually a pretty simple one. We are helping George gain a little more weight.
His medication, Hemlibra, is dosed based on weight. Once he gains a bit more, we will be able to switch to a more concentrated dose and reduce the amount of liquid in his biweekly injection. At the moment it is quite a lot of liquid to give in a single subcutaneous shot for such a small kid.
But George is healthy and growing. Honestly, if this is the biggest hurdle we are facing, we consider ourselves incredibly lucky.
The part of hemophilia that does not always show up in medical charts is the day to day balance of raising a toddler.
Toddlers run. They jump. They climb. They wrestle. They tumble.
George does all of those things, especially while trying to keep up with his big brother.
At his 2.5 year pediatrician appointment, our doctor asked how we manage the daily risks that come with hemophilia and toddler life.
The truth is simple. We let him.
George does everything his big brother does. The difference is that we are always watching a little closer and listening a little more carefully. There is a constant quiet calculation happening in the background about when to step in, when to remind them to slow down, and when to simply let them play.
We never want hemophilia to take away the joy of exploring, learning, and growing up. At the same time, we do everything we can to keep him safe.
It is a balance we are learning every single day, and one we will probably carry with us for the rest of our lives.
This year George’s story also inspired something special.
Colin’s small business, Uffda Kombucha, launched a Blood Orange Kombucha in honor of George, Bleeding Disorders Awareness Month in March, and World Hemophilia Day on April 17.
The bright citrus flavor is bold, vibrant, and a little fearless. It reminds us of George.
Even more meaningful, a portion of the proceeds from every can of Blood Orange Kombucha will go toward helping other local families living with bleeding disorders.
If you are in the Duluth or Superior area, keep an eye out for it on store shelves.
Every can helps raise awareness, support families, and remind kids like George that they are not alone in their journey.
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for being part of that support.
2025 (2 Years Old)
What is hemophilia?
Hemophilia A is a rare and formidable foe, a condition that has entered the life of our precious George, a boy of boundless potential. It is a rare condition, touching only about 12 in every 100,000 males in the US. Every year, a mere 400 boys like George enter the world with this complex challenge, illuminating the rarity of their path and the hurdles they must overcome
For little George and others like him, navigating life with Hemophilia A will be a constant, watchful endeavor, demanding the utmost care. This condition, etched into his genetic makeup, disrupts his blood's ability to clot effectively, chiefly due to a scarcity of essential clotting factors, including factor VIII. Even the tiniest of injuries can provoke prolonged bleeding, a circumstance unfamiliar to most. It means that even simple cuts and bruises could bring about complications, requiring careful management.
