Save One Life is proud to spotlight another one of our inspiring Ambassadors, Shanthi Hegde. Diagnosed only a few years ago with Factor VII deficiency and von Willebrand disease, Shanthi has already made a powerful mark on the bleeding disorders community. She is a recent graduate of the National Bleeding Disorders Youth Leadership Institute and designed an innovative program to educate young adults about bleeding disorders. Shanthi feels a deep personal connection to Save One Life’s mission as she also understands firsthand the challenges faced by people with bleeding disorders in underserved regions.

Her own family lives in Balgadde, a rural village in South India, where access to care is extremely difficult. To treat a bleed, they would need to travel at least 3 hours to the nearest treatment center and hope they had the medication specific to their bleeding disorder. Shanthi explained that this lack of access contributed to her mother suffering in silence for decades, only receiving her von Willebrand diagnosis at 52 years old.

While improving access to diagnosis and treatment is her driving goal, Shanthi is equally passionate about raising awareness of the cultural complexities that shape care in countries like India. Many countries perceive Western medical influence as a challenge to traditional practices or a means to subjugate them, thus creating barriers even when resources are available. Shanthi advocates for change rooted in respect, collaboration, and cultural humility. Armed with her passion for creating positive change and her track record of motivating others, Save One Life is excited to have her on our team.