As Soccer Takes the Global Stage, One Former Goalkeeper Reflects on Staying Active and Looking Ahead With Hemophilia A
(BPT) - Article is sponsored and developed by Sanofi. Eli was compensated by Sanofi. Intended for U.S. Residents Only.
Patient stories reflect the real-life experiences of persons diagnosed with hemophilia A who have been prescribed ALTUVIIIO. However, individual experiences may vary. Patient stories are not necessarily representative of what another person using ALTUVIIIO may experience.
For Eli, soccer has always been more than just a sport. From the moment he first touched a ball at age 4, it became his language for connecting with the world. Every kick, every save, and every sprint wasn't just about the game - it was about discovering where he belonged.
As a goalkeeper, Eli found his calling in the rush of a save, the trust his teammates placed in him, and the feeling of being part of something bigger than himself. Soccer gave him something that he couldn't find anywhere else: a sense of purpose and belonging that went far beyond the field.
"Soccer is a good team game," Eli said. "It brings you together with people, and even when you're alone, you can go out there by yourself and kick the ball around."
Now, with the world's eyes focused on soccer's biggest stage, Eli reflects on a journey that's been anything but ordinary. Living with hemophilia A has woven itself into every chapter of his soccer story, from his first steps onto the field to the ambitious goals he's still chasing today, both as a player and as a person determined to show others what's possible.
Growing up with hemophilia A - on and off the field
Hemophilia A is a rare bleeding disorder in which the blood doesn't clot properly. For the approximately 33,000 people living with it in the United States, that reality touches every part of life.1 From spontaneous bleeding to joint damage and chronic pain, hemophilia A is a condition that often requires lifelong management.1
"I always felt different because I knew I had a bleeding disorder, so there were some things I had to be more mindful of," Eli said. "But I learned to manage it, and I still ended up doing a lot of the things that the other kids did."
And the one thing he refused to give up along the way? Soccer.
As one of the most unique, yet critical, positions on the field, playing goalkeeper required Eli to be thoughtful about how he could protect himself. For Eli, injuries weren't just setbacks, they also meant time away from the game he loved. Whether it meant wearing protective gear or talking with his doctor about a treatment plan that would allow him to pursue his goals, he continued to find ways to stay connected to the sport he loves.
"With soccer, I knew I had an active lifestyle," Eli said. "I needed a treatment that would keep up with my life and not hold me back from doing the things I wanted to do."
For Eli, managing hemophilia A was never about limitations. It was about finding the right tools to stay in the game, on his own terms.
Pursuing goals for real life
As Eli got older, his life became busier and more independent. Suddenly, Eli wasn't just managing hemophilia A around soccer practice and school. He was navigating a full, fast-paced life that included classes, work shifts, fraternity events, early morning gym sessions and weekend pickup soccer games of course. His days were packed and entirely his own to decide.
That shift also changed how he thought about treatment.
"When I first sat down to consider my treatment goals, the things that mattered most to me were: Am I going to be happy, and am I still going to be able to do the things I want to do every day?" Eli said. "I needed a treatment that helped keep me protected during daily life."
For Eli, that meant a shift in perspective. He was now thinking beyond a single game, practice or activity and instead looking for protection that could support his active routine, without becoming the center of it. For someone balancing college, fitness and travel, protection was just as important as convenience.
Finding a treatment routine that could fit into his lifestyle
After talking with his doctor, Eli made a decision: He started ALTUVIIIO® [antihemophilic factor (recombinant), Fc-VWF-XTEN fusion protein-ehtl], a once-weekly factor replacement therapy that is used to control and reduce the number of bleeding episodes in people with hemophilia A. As with all factor VIII therapies, ALTUVIIIO may cause side effects and carries a risk of hypersensitivity reactions and inhibitor development. The most common side effects reported in clinical studies were headache and joint pain.2
"At first, switching to a different medicine can definitely be hard because you are comfortable with what you have," Eli said. "But for me, it was worth it."
For Eli, part of what made ALTUVIIIO a good fit wasn't just the once-weekly dosing, though that mattered. It was knowing that his factor VIII levels could stay higher in his body for longer, which was important to him as he thought about the activities and responsibilities ahead in his week. For someone juggling college, work, the gym and an active social life, that mattered.
Playing the long game
Although Eli now balances soccer alongside other priorities, it's still woven into the fabric of who he is. As a long-time fan of major soccer events, this summer holds special meaning as he watches the world come together to celebrate the game that shaped him, cheering for players chasing the same dreams he once had.
But his experience with hemophilia A shaped more than how he stayed in the game; it also helped show him what he wanted to do with his life. Today, Eli is studying sports medicine, building a career where he can help others reach their health and performance goals.
"Growing up with something like hemophilia, it becomes part of how you see the world," Eli said. "I've been around sports, injuries and recovery my whole life, so sports medicine feels like a natural fit for me."
Eli has also served as a counselor at a summer camp managed by the Louisiana hemophilia community, where he gets the chance to spend time with younger kids navigating the same condition he's lived with since infancy. Those conversations aren't just about sharing advice - they're about showing what's possible. While hemophilia doesn't have to define Eli or anyone else, it does require understanding and management.
This summer, as the world watches soccer's biggest stars chase their glory, Eli is chasing something just as meaningful: graduating college, staying active, and building a future where he can help others do the same.
"I know what it feels like to be the kid who wants to get out there and play," Eli said. "I want other young people with hemophilia to know they can take care of themselves and still keep going after the things they love."
For Eli, the game was never just about soccer. It was always about chasing what comes next.
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 effects that bothers you or does not go away.
Please see Full Prescribing Information
Please consult your healthcare professional if you have any questions about your health or treatment.
To learn more about Eli and his ALTUVIIIO story visitwww.altuviiio.com/us/patient-stories.
References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Data and Statistics on Hemophilia. https://www.cdc.gov/hemophilia/data-research/index.html. Accessed June, 2026.
- ALTUVIIIO®. Prescribing information. Sanofi; 2025. Accessed June, 2026. https://products.sanofi.us/altuviiio/altuviiio.pdf
© 2026 Sanofi. All rights reserved. All trademarks mentioned are the property of the Sanofi group. MAT-US-2606893-v.1.0-07/2026
Source: BrandPoint
