WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Health announced more than $260,000 in charitable commitments to local and national hemophilia and bleeding disorder programs across the country. The announcement of new commitments coincides with Bleeding Disorder Awareness Month, which is nationally recognized each year in March.

In the United States, more than 20,000 people are living with hemophilia, a condition in which blood does not clot properly in one’s body, causing pain and potential long-term consequences, and often requires whole blood or platelet transfusions.

“CVS Health recognizes the challenges that come with having a bleeding disorder, and the need for increased research and education,” Joel Helle, vice president, specialty sales, CVS Health said in a statement. “By providing these leading organizations and programs with support, we’re able to help impact the care and quality of life for all people with a bleeding disorder, which advances our company’s purpose of helping people on their path to better health.”

To address this patient population, CVS Health is providing the Hemophilia Federation of America (HFA) with $50,000 to deliver increased education and support to bleeding disorder patients and their families, including HFA Families, which supports parents and children by providing educational tools and peer networks to better address the disorder, manage stress and equip families for success. The grant will also support Blood Brotherhood, which provides adult men who are living with blood disorders with support and education.

“HFA is pleased to have the support of CVS Health to help raise awareness and to continue the very important advocacy work we do to improve the lives of people in the bleeding disorders community,” said , president and chief executive officer, Hemophilia Federation of America.

Additionally, CVS Health is supporting the National Hemophilia Foundation (NHF) with $60,000 to sustain and increase advocacy, education and research efforts, including support of the NHF’s annual Red Tie Campaign, designed to raise awareness of hemophilia, and UNITE for Bleeding Disorders, the national hemophilia walk which will take place in 45 cities across the country in 2018.

“This collaborative effort is the type of partnership that is necessary to help increase awareness and deliver the programming and support our families desperately need,” said Brett Spitale, Vice President of Advancement for NHF. “We look forward to growing our partnership with CVS Health in the future allowing us to do more for our community.”

In an effort to increase awareness at the community level, CVS Health is also providing more than $150,000 in grants to 38 local programs across the country, with grants ranging from $1,000 to $7,000, in support of local walks, summer camps, and patient retreats.