Patient Education Summits to Address Special Challenges of Hemophilia Patients and...

Patient Education Summits to Address Special Challenges of Hemophilia Patients
and Their Families
Novo Nordisk Helps Provide Unique Opportunity for Patients to Connect and
Learn from Others with the Disease

PRINCETON, N.J., Aug. 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- More than 160 families of
patients living with a rare form of hemophilia are coming together at
educational summits sponsored this fall by the National Hemophilia Foundation
(NHF) and the Center for Biomedical Continuing Education (CBCE). For the fifth
year, the Inhibitor Education Summits will connect patients and their families
with expert healthcare professionals and fellow patients to address pertinent
topics such as effective pain management, exercise and nutrition, financial
security, and psychological wellbeing. The summits are supported by an
educational grant from Novo Nordisk.

Hemophilia is a chronic, inherited bleeding disorder that occurs because
certain blood clotting factors are missing or do not work properly.
Spontaneous internal bleeding can occur, especially in the joints and muscles.

The 2009 summits will take place in Hollywood, C.A., August 27-30 and in
Washington, D.C., September 17-20. These summits are the first and only
events of their kind that focus specifically on patients with inhibitors.
Inhibitors are rare, affecting approximately 800 to 900 Americans. Inhibitors
are a serious complication that can develop after treatment in as many as 30
percent of people with hemophilia, most commonly in young children. These
patients develop antibodies (or inhibitors) that circulate in the blood stream
and actually neutralize, or attack clotting replacements, resulting in an
increased risk of bleeding, arthropathy (or joint disease), physical
disability and death.

People living with this disease often navigate tremendous challenges, both
physically and emotionally. Sid Ramirez, age 21, has lived with hemophilia his
entire life. He developed inhibitors at the age of three. His condition led to
significant problems with his knee joints, leaving Sid wheelchair bound by age
11. He underwent lateral knee replacement surgery as a teenager, which enabled
him to walk again.

"The summits allow others living with inhibitors and their families to learn
from each other's experiences and from experts. No one can understand what
you go through as well as those who have experienced it themselves and their
families," said Sid. "Hemophilia has significance in the decisions I make, but
I will not let it be the deciding factor." Currently enrolled in culinary
school to pursue his lifelong passion for cooking, Sid is excited about the
future ahead.

NHF Chief Executive Officer Val Bias has a special reason for participating in
the summits. He's also a person with hemophilia.

"Education has been a cornerstone of the NHF, and the Inhibitor Education
Summit is a prime example of that," said Bias, who will also speak at both
summits. "We believe it is critical to be able to provide these kinds of
programs that help patients and their families achieve greater success in
managing inhibitors."

In addition to education for patients and caregivers, there is a comprehensive
Youth Camp for children with inhibitors and their siblings. Children attending
the Youth Camp will have the opportunity to show their parents all that they
have learned during their time at "camp." There is also ample time for
networking with other families and "ask the experts" sessions to interact with
physicians and other key opinion leaders in the field. Since the Inhibitor
Education Summits began in 2005, hundreds of families have benefited from this
unique opportunity to learn and connect with others who share their
experience.

"Comprehensive management of hemophilia with inhibitors is vital for
maximizing the quality of daily life for patients with this difficult
condition," said Dr. Guy Young, Director, Hemostasis and Thrombosis Center,
Childrens Hospital Los Angeles and co-chair of the summits. "The 2009
Inhibitor Education Summits provide patients and their families with the
opportunity to learn effective management strategies, connect with expert
medical professionals, and share experiences with other families." Dr. Leonard
Valentino, Director, RUSH Hemophilia and Thrombophilia Center, RUSH University
Medical Center, is also co-chair of the summits.

For more information about The Inhibitor Education Summits, log onto
www.inhibitorsummits.org.

About the National Hemophilia Foundation (NHF)
The National Hemophilia Foundation is dedicated to finding better treatments
and cures for bleeding and clotting disorders and to preventing the
complications of these disorders through education, advocacy and research.
Established in 1948, the National Hemophilia Foundation has chapters
throughout the country. Its programs and initiatives are made possible through
the generosity of individuals, corporations and foundations as well as through
a cooperative agreement with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC).

About CBCE(TM) (The Center for Biomedical Continuing Education)
The CBCE(TM) is a full-service provider of accredited CME/CE with a circular
scope of capabilities. Since 1999, the CBCE has partnered with clinical
experts in solid tumors and hematologic malignancies to develop and implement
local, regional, national and international medical education initiatives
designed to accelerate the adoption of best practices and clinical
breakthroughs in oncology. The CBCE is dedicated to creating rigorous
educational programs at the forefront of science, customized according to the
target audience. Our unique experience in oncology and hematology has resulted
in an in-depth understanding of the nuanced working lives and learning styles
of the specialists, nurses, and pharmacists involved in cancer care, an
understanding that informs the development of all interventions.

The CBCE vision is to encourage healthcare professionals to commit to change
and to define distinct outcomes in their practices that will improve patient
care and quality of life.

About Novo Nordisk
Novo Nordisk is a healthcare company with an 86-year history of innovation and
achievement in diabetes care. The company has the broadest diabetes product
portfolio in the industry, including the most advanced products within the
area of insulin delivery systems. In addition to diabetes care, Novo Nordisk
has a leading position within areas such as hemostasis management, growth
hormone therapy, and hormone therapy for women. Novo Nordisk's business is
driven by the Triple Bottom Line: a commitment to economic success,
environmental soundness, and social responsibility to employees and customers.
With headquarters in Denmark, Novo Nordisk employs more than 27,000 employees
in 81 countries, and markets its products in 179 countries. Novo Nordisk's B
shares are listed on the stock exchanges in Copenhagen and London. Its ADRs
are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol 'NVO'. For global
information, visit novonordisk.com; for United States information, visit
www.novonordisk-us.com.

SOURCE Novo Nordisk

Ambre Morley, Novo Nordisk, +1-609-514-8400