Hemophilia: The Kilimanjaro Project

Concept: A video documentary will be produced in Kenya, Tanzania, and the states to illustrate and document the advancements in hemophilia treatment and aid around the world. Among the countries making great progress is Kenya. On April 17th, 2009 they had their first World Hemophilia Day and the MP Shah Hematology Ward in Nairobi, Kenya was inaugurated. Basing a majority of the film out of Kenya is a strategic move. This documentary will utilize a unique approach to generate the largest audience and response. The two main subjects, Aaron and Alex Craig, brothers with severe hemophilia, will summit Mount Kilimanjaro: The world’s tallest freestanding mountain. The climb to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro adds a thematic approach to the film and acts as a metaphor for recent advancements in treatment. 20 years ago, the idea of two brothers with hemophilia climbing a mountain together would have been only a dream, since hemophilia cripples the joints of those effected. Aaron and Alex will be the first hemophiliac brothers to ever climb Mount Kilimanjaro. The summit will be an encouragement to other hemophiliacs facing adversity, and Kenya’s advancements will be an encouragement to other developing countries that they can also provide quality hemophilia care if the proper steps are taken. The story will offer an historical perspective on hemophilia as well as encourage viewers to be involved in the future of hemophilia aid relief and awareness. Upon completion of the film, it will be distributed nationwide to film festivals and to every Hemophilia chapters for local viewing purposes. We will take an exhaustive marketing campaign approach, utilizing social media networks, viral video releases, and new media technology. A video like this has never been attempted in the history of hemophilia and has the full potential to be an encouragement to the hemophilia community at large, as well as highlight advancements domestically and internationally. My end goal is to encourage and help foster healthier lives for hemophiliacs both domestically and internationally while bringing awareness to the world. Internationally: We will bring awareness to the hardships that hemophiliacs in developing nations face every day. We will also show how various developing nations have made great advancements in hemophilia care. The documentary will provide real life examples in hopes that the viewers in more advanced nations will see the need and take action in eradicating the problem of improper hemophilia care. Domestically: To be an encouragement and advocate for healthier lifestyles for hemophiliacs and to provide educational support. Most hemophiliacs in America have access to proper medical treatment, but it is still necessary to maintain a proper treatment regimen and lifestyle to stay healthy. Additionally, the video will bring massive awareness to the disorder, since it commonly get highly overlooked due to the relatively small amount of people effected. ______________________________________________________________________________ Objectives: - Raise funding to provide the essentials to hemophilia care internationally and provide educational support to hemophiliacs domestically. • Highlight advancements both domestically and internationally in terms of hemophilia treatment and care. • Demonstrate the effect that proper medical treatment can have on an individual or community by presenting the viewer with two case studies: (1) Aaron and Alex Craig, brothers with severe hemophilia A, who will be the first hemophiliac brothers to climb Mount Kilimonjaro and (2) Kenya’s rapidly improving Hemophilia Treatment Center. • Demonstrate what can be accomplished in the Kenya Hemophilia Treatment Center with greater contributions - Encourage other countries to improve their Hemophilia Treatment Centers, because this will improve hemophilia care across the board in those countries. • Illustrate how each donation can truly change the life of a person with hemophilia • Host interviews with those in charge of the Hemophilia Treatment Center in Kenya and portray how they have been able to become so successful. • Host interviews with patients of the Hemophilia Treatment Center in Kenya and discover how quality of life is improved with simple improvements to basic hemophilia care