I didn't make the decision to contemplate opera as a career until I was 19 years old. Now, why that’s significant is that that was around the time that I also switched to a prophylaxis regimen. The state of the art of medical care had advanced to the point where physically strenuous professions were more possible for hemophilia A patients than they would have been before the era of prophylaxis. Opera is an incredibly physically rigorous profession–even more so than someone might think at first blush. That, you know, there's what we have to do as singers with our bodies as our instruments. There's what we have to do on stage, wearing unusual costumes; there might be stage combat involved or a lot of significant physical exertion. It's physically exhausting, but it's, it's so worth it.


Growing up with hemophilia A in the era before prophylaxis was readily available, created, you know, a number of challenges for me that meant a hospital visit every time that I was injured. It meant needing to wear a helmet to protect me from injury, because I wasn't taking a prophylactic dose of anti-hemophilic factor. I'm living proof of what happens when you are not on a prophylaxis regimen. The joint damage that I've endured, it directly stems from not being on prophylaxis for the first 17-18 years of my life.


The thing about ALTUVIIIO that I was most excited about was the possibility of having to infuse just once weekly–because life happens on a weekly schedule. And now I have a treatment option that fits my lifestyle much better than anything that was available to me before. I tend not to switch my medication unless I feel there's a really compelling reason to do so. And in the case of ALTUVIIIO, I felt like yes, there's a very compelling reason to make this switch. My doctor made me aware as I was switching to ALTUVIIIO of the primary side effects that one could experience on ALTUVIIIO, which are headache and joint pain.


The primary indicator of how well ALTUVIIIO is working for me is, “Am I having any bleeds?” And, you know, the answer since switching to ALTUVIIIO is, “No, I've not had a single bleed.” One of the things that has been so heartening for me over the years is seeing how the advancements in care have made things possible for hemophilia patients that weren’t possible before. I really had no expectation of being able to participate in a physically strenuous activity for my profession. But I feel confident in engaging in this work now precisely because of the quality of care that's available to me. And now having switched to ALTUVIIIO, I'm excited to see how this might unlock even more potential and even more possibilities in my life.

I am being compensated for telling my story in this video. I received free product through Sanofi’s Patient Support Program.

VO:

INDICATION

ALTUVIIIO [antihemophilic factor (recombinant), Fc-VWF-XTEN fusion protein-ehtl] is an injectable medicine that is used to control and reduce the number of bleeding episodes in people with hemophilia A (congenital Factor VIII deficiency).

Your healthcare provider may give you ALTUVIIIO when you have surgery.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

What is the most important information I need to know about ALTUVIIIO?
Do not attempt to give yourself an injection unless you have been taught how by your healthcare provider or hemophilia center. You must carefully follow your healthcare provider’s instructions regarding the dose and schedule for injecting ALTUVIIIO so that your treatment will work best for you.

Who should not use ALTUVIIIO?
You should not use ALTUVIIIO if you have had an allergic reaction to it in the past.

What should I tell my healthcare provider before using ALTUVIIIO?
Tell your healthcare provider if you have had any medical problems, take any medications, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, supplements, or herbal medicines, are breastfeeding, or are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.

What are the possible side effects of ALTUVIIIO?
You can have an allergic reaction to ALTUVIIIO. Call your healthcare provider or emergency department right away if you have any of the following symptoms: difficulty breathing, chest tightness, swelling of the face, rash, or hives.

Your body can also make antibodies called “inhibitors” against ALTUVIIIO. This can stop ALTUVIIIO from working properly. Your healthcare provider may give you blood tests to check for inhibitors.

The common side effects of ALTUVIIIO are headache and joint pain.

These are not the only possible side effects of ALTUVIIIO. Tell your healthcare provider about any side effect that bothers you or does not go away.


Please see full Prescribing Information.