For many children, sports are a major part of growing up. But for children with hemophilia, bumps and bruises can become a serious health issue, which means some physical activities may be off limits.
Golf is one sport in which kids with the condition can actively take part. Recently, some children from the Florida Hemophilia Association had the chance to do just that during a putting clinic with Spanish golf legend Miguel Angel Jimenez at the Boca Raton Championship, a PGA Champions Tour event sponsored in-part by CSL Plasma.
Aside from getting pointers from a top-flight pro like Jimenez, who boasts 21 European Tour titles and has finished in the top five of a major championship three times, the event gave the kids a chance to take part in a fun and healthy activity, said Debbie Adamkin, Executive Director of the Florida Hemophilia Association.
“Our kids have really enjoyed getting to meet Miguel and have some quality time on the putting green,” she said. “Having hemophilia can sometimes prohibit them from participating in contact sports, but golf offers a wonderful opportunity to get out and enjoy themselves!”
Hemophilia is a bleeding disorder that prevents blood from clotting and can limit kids’ participation in athletics. Eight young golfers had the chance to take part in the clinic with Jimenez, who was taking part in the PGA Champions Tour stop at Broken Sound Country Club in Boca Raton.
The mother of 9-year-old Kenneth said her son “couldn’t have been more excited” to meet Jimenez and says he got an autograph to go along with some pro putting tips.
CSL Plasma is based Boca Raton and maintains a strong presence in the local community by sponsoring events such as this one, said Robert Mitchell, the company’s Director of Marketing and Communications.
“By inviting the kids to spend time with Miguel, CSL Plasma is able to deliver on our promise to give back to the community and also raise awareness here in Boca and around the world of the need for plasma donation,” Mitchell added.
CSL Plasma plays a crucial role in ensuring the safe and efficient collection of human plasma that is used by CSL Behring to develop therapies for a number of conditions, including hemophilia.
