Travel

Just because you have a factor deficiency, doesn't mean you can't travel.  You just have to be a little more organized and then you can enjoy your vacation. 

1. Check with your Hemophilia Treatment Center (HTC) to determine where there are treatment centers on your route along with their addresses and phone numbers.
2. Carry with you your exact diagnosis, your medication and appropriate dosage and the name and phone number of the Center where you are regularly treated.
3. If you or your family member infuses, be sure to bring enough supplies and medication with you for any and all emergencies. (not every town/city/country has the appropriate medication for you.)
4. If your medication must be refrigerated, bring appropriate ice packs, coolers  etc. and make the appropriate arrangements along the way.  FACTOR is extremely expensive so care for it lovingly.
5. If you are traveling by air, and need to carry needles &/or syringes, please ask your HTC for travel letters explaining the situation and give them plenty of advance warning! They will also provide you with special labeling for your Factor making airport security inspections much easier.
6. Check to determine if your insurance coverage is good in the state/country you will be visiting and if not, take out appropriate travel health insurance.

And then ... relax and have a wonderful, safe time!

Traveling with family members who have bleeding disorders can at times be challenging.  In case of emergency, it is always advisable to carry a letter with pertinent information about the person's condition, medications and treatment options.

When traveling with needles or blood product, especially by air, the situation becomes even more complex in todays "anti-terrorism" climate.  In this case, a letter is mandatory if a patient carries needles and Factor.

Attached are 2 sample letters which you can request from the Center.  Please call the  Hemophilia Center and ask when it would be convenient to stop in to have these papers filled in and signed - and please give our team 4-5 days lead time. 585.922.5700.

GENERAL TRAVEL LETTER RE BLEEDING DISORDERS

LETTER FOR PEOPLE WITH HEMOPHILIA OR VWD WHO MUST TRAVEL WITH NEEDLES & FACTOR PRODUCTS.