- About this Module
- Co-Editors Welcome
- Introduction
- The History of VWD
- Definitions & Classification
- Pathophysiology
- Evolutionary Medicine
- Epidemiology
- Clinical Presentation
- Diagnosis
- Treatment
- Special Situations in VWD
- Acquired von Willebrand Syndrome
- Longitudinal Care
- Patient Resources
- Clinician Communication
- Humanities, Meaning & Experience
- Journal Club
- Review Library
- Clinical Practice Guidelines
- Beyond the Guidelines
- Clinical Cases
- Media Library
Dear Learners,
Welcome to the von Willebrand Disease (vWD) module on The Blood Project. This module brings together comprehensive, expert-curated information about vWD in one central, easy-to-navigate location.
Here, you’ll find diverse content formats including tutorials, case studies, infographics, quizzes, podcasts, and short videos, all designed to promote critical thinking and deepen clinical understanding of vWD across the lifespan.
In keeping with TBP’s commitment to the humanities, we also feature patient perspectives and historical context that illuminate the lived experience and evolving understanding of vWD.
This module reflects our dedication to presenting disease education through clinical, scientific, historical, and humanistic lenses. We welcome your feedback as we continue to refine the material and enhance your learning experience.
Meet the Co-Editors

David Lillicrap, MD
Co-Editor, CAD Module
Dr. David Lillicrap is a Professor in the Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine at Queen’s University, Kingston, Canada. He was the recipient for 21 years of a Senior Canada Research Chair in Molecular Hemostasis, and in 2013 was admitted to the Fellowship of the Royal Society of Canada. He is a past Chairman of the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis’ (ISTH) Scientific and Standardization Committee, a prior member of the Council of ISTH, and in 2024, he was the recipient of the Society’s Roberts Award. He previously served for 7 years as an Associate Editor for Blood and recently completed a 5-year appointment as Co-Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis. For the past 25 years he has directed the Canadian National Reference Genotyping Laboratory for Inherited Bleeding Disorders.

Kevin Barnum, MD, PhD
Co-Editor, CAD Module
Kevin Barnum, MD, PhD is an attending physician at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and an Instructor in Medicine at Harvard Medical School. He completed medical and graduate school at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and then completed residency at Yale-New Haven Hospital, where he also served as Chief Resident. He loves all things hematology, in particular lymphoid malignancy and immune disorders of the hematologic system.