Choosing adventure, choosing life

The late 1980s had brought a milestone development with the introduction of viral inactivation methods – among them, Octapharma’s adoption of the licensed solvent/detergent (S/D) process. And in 1992, the FDA approved the first recombinant factor VIII, expanding options.

For Carl, the outdoors has never been just a hobby – it’s where he feels most alive. Growing up on the edge of Sequoia National Park, his childhood was filled with hiking, fishing and river adventures. This love for wild places shaped him into the man he is today: an environmental scientist, a firefighter, a husband, and the father of a little girl.

But on every trail, lake, or river, Carl carried something invisible: haemophilia A, a rare genetic condition that prevents blood from clotting properly. Without enough clotting factor VIII, even small injuries can cause prolonged bleeding or internal joint bleeds that lead to long-term damage. Over 740,000 people live with haemophilia worldwide¹, including 30,000 in the U.S.²

Diagnosed as a baby in 1993, Carl at first faced a world with limited treatment options. The late 1980s marked a breakthrough in plasma safety. Octapharma played a pioneering role by introducing viral inactivation into the plasma manufacturing process through the licensed solvent/detergent (S/D) method – an innovation that removed viruses from plasma-derived medicines and made therapies much safer.

In 1992, the FDA approved the first recombinant factor VIII, further expanding treatment options for people with haemophilia. These medical advances - together with preventive care - have greatly improved life expectancy - allowing people with haemophilia in the U.S. and around the world to look forward to longer, healthier lives than ever before. “It’s night and day compared to the early ‘90s,” Carl says.

Early diagnosis, early independence

Carl’s mother - a known carrier - had grown up with cousins who had haemophilia, but hearing her own child’s diagnosis was still a shock. Living far from hospitals, the family had to adapt quickly. At first, a Park Ranger friend - a trained paramedic - helped with Carl’s factor VIII infusions until his father learned to do them.

“My parents dove in to learn as much as possible,” Carl remembers. “They gave me freedom, but also responsibility. By the time I was a teenager, I was managing much of my own treatment. That independence shaped who I am today.”

In those early years, Carl mostly kept quiet about his condition. “Most of my friends knew, but I didn’t bring it up much - it felt easier to just push it aside,” he says. Over time, though, he realised that independence also meant knowing when to speak up. “In remote areas, people need to know. Talking about it isn’t fear - it’s safety.”

That awareness grew stronger as Carl continued to seek adventure outdoors, where the risks - and rewards - were never far away.

Taking adventure to the limit

Despite ankle surgeries and joint bleeds, Carl never let haemophilia define what he could do. Camping, rafting, and hiking became family traditions. “There’s a photo of me infusing at the bottom of the Grand Canyon,” he recalls. “That picture says it all.”

But the challenges were real. Just before he joined High School, a mountain biking accident ended in a helicopter evacuation. “I lost a tooth and broke an arm, but thankfully no brain bleed. That moment really stuck with me – a reminder of how quickly life can change.”

Today, Carl deals with arthritis in his ankles - the lasting result of childhood bleeds. “I’ve learned to adapt. I don’t run anymore, but I have hiked 22 miles in a day. It’s about knowing your limits and finding new ways to keep moving.”

Confidence with his treatment

In 2020, Carl began treatment with Octapharma's human coagulation factor VIII after his previous factor VIII therapy was discontinued - which quickly became part of his daily rhythm. “I do my infusions every other day first thing in the morning - five minutes, just like brushing your teeth - then get on with my day.”

The protection the treatment offers gives him the freedom to keep living life to the full. His work with the Bureau of Land Management often takes him into remote landscapes or wildfire zones. “I’ve infused in rainforests, deserts, and even during fire assignments covered in soot. Having treatment that travels with me means freedom.”

“At Octapharma, our work goes beyond developing innovative treatments. We are deeply committed to raising awareness of haemophilia and making sure that no one faces this journey alone. By sharing knowledge, patient platforms, and forging partnerships with healthcare professionals, we want people like Carl - and every family living with haemophilia - to feel seen, supported, and hopeful,” says Paul Wilk, Senior National Director, Octapharma USA.

Fatherhood: a new chapter

Now based in Salt Lake City with his wife Megan and their one-year-old daughter, Hazel, Carl’s outlook has shifted. “Becoming a father changes everything. I want to protect my joints, stay healthy, and make sure I can fully share my love of the outdoors with Hazel. I don’t want to be a dad on the sidelines – I want to be out there with her.”

Time in nature is a weekly ritual: snowboarding in winter, hiking and fishing in summer, exploring Utah’s beauty year-round. The family is already dreaming of a backpacking trip through the Italian Dolomites.

Asked what he’s proudest of, Carl doesn’t hesitate: “I’ve built the life little-kid me wanted. I’ve got a family, a career I care about, and the chance to keep exploring wild places. Haemophilia is part of my story, but it doesn’t write the ending.”

His advice to young people newly diagnosed is heartfelt: “Treatments have come a long way – and today’s therapies mean you can feel confident and secure. Protect your joints, stay active, and never stop exploring. The opportunities are there – you just need to take them.”

References

^{1. World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH). Report on the Annual Global Survey 2023. Montréal: WFH; 2024. Accessed September 23, 2025. Accessible at: Home | World Federation of Hemophilia}

^{2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Hemophilia Data and Statistics. Atlanta: CDC; updated 2024. Accessed September 23, 2025. Accessible at: Data and Statistics on Hemophilia | Hemophilia | CDC}