Discover Eliza’s story as part of the World Hemophilia Day 2025 video series:

Hi, my name is Eliza. I live with Glanzmann thrombasthenia, a rare platelet disorder.

Even though I was diagnosed from a young age, I have constant severe bleeds which means trips to the emergency room for a platelet transfusion which is my only treatment option. So I’m always explaining my condition to emergency docs who don’t understand, and they easily dismiss me.

In one situation when I got my first period, I was bleeding every day for three months straight because my gynecologist was too proud to admit he didn’t know how to treat me. And another more recent situation, an ER doc would not give me the platelet transfusion that I needed. Instead they gave me something else which didn’t work and they gave me too much so it actually caused a mild stroke.

So it’s been a constant challenge of advocating for myself. So getting to know other women with bleeding disorders has been so helpful since we all go through similar challenges.

I would encourage anybody struggling with feelings of isolation to find your community with other women and girls who have bleeding disorders. And don’t give up until you find a healthcare provider who will take you seriously.