The European School on Kirchberg has raised €1,685.10 to be donated to Save One Life; on Thursday, the headmaster of the Primary School, Hans van Wissen, handed a cheque over to Marelle Hart, representative of Save One Life.

The Dutch section of the school used their annual King's Day celebrations to raise money through a fancy fair. On the birthday of King Alexander, 27 April, the Dutch children of the Primary School went out into the playground of the school to sell second-hand toys, food and drinks to the other children of the school. Through their enthusiasm, money was raised for children with hemophilia in the developing world. On Thursday, finally the coins were counted.

"The fight against hemophilia can be a mission", said Marelle Hart, who has two sons with hemophilia who attend the European School. *Living with hemophilia is difficult enough with medication. But without medication hemophilia is a nightmare, as is the case in most developing countries. That is why I am now contact person of Save One Life in Europe. The motivation to do something for these children was born from a thorough awareness of how fragile life can be."

The concept of Save One Life is pretty familiar. People in richer countries pay a monthly fee for the care of a child with hemophilia in developing countries. The family uses the money often for transport to the hospital and pain management, as well as for daily necessities. It is possible to communicate with each other, but often the children come from very poor families and buying a stamp is already tricky.

In Luxembourg the two sons of Marelle Hart played an active role in convincing the school to raise money. As they held presentations on hemophilia in class, the teachers realised what a struggle this inherited disease can be. The two sons, now eleven and nine, thanks to their biweekly injections, are doing very well at the European School. The family also has a lot of contact with other hemophiliacs in Luxembourg, who all come together twice a year for dinner. It is a small country so the patients all know each other.

"I have not only seen but also experienced how fragile life can be, said Marelle Hart. "Now I can be there in particular for hemophilia patients in developing countries who have to endure so much pain from internal bleeding, often become handicapped and sometimes do not reach adulthood. What do they all go through?" Because it is originally an American organisation, Marelle Hart is busy every day to raise awareness of Save One Life in Europe. "We ourselves sponsor a child with hemophilia in India and still want to sponsor a child in Africa", said Marelle Hart.

"Living with hemophilia makes you vulnerable, but also alert and eager. It seems like you are walking on a tightrope while others walk on the ground. This balancing and calculating behaviour can be utilised to show your commitment to those who really need it. Join us and sponsor a child with hemophilia in the developing countries. Save one life."

For further information, see www.saveonelife.net