FHA E-Connect - Fall 2022
The e-newsletter for Lifeline, the official newsletter for the Florida Hemophilia Association
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Dear friends,
Thank you for believing and trusting me to lead our organization. After 20 years of service to the Florida Hemophilia Association, I will be relinquishing my position as Executive Director. It has been a privilege and honor for me to serve this amazing and resilient community. I’ve had the pleasure to serve and advocate with exuberance, dedication and passion. I consider you my extended family and will cherish every special moment we’ve shared.
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We’ve accomplished so much that I’m proud of. Now it’s time for our new Executive Director, Pepper Adair, to take the helm and continue our journey. We have an extraordinary and committed staff, a skilled and supportive Board, Hemophilia Treatment Centers and fabulous community members that are dedicated to our cause.
I look forward to and will always proudly and joyfully remain part of the community. My deepest love and thanks to all who supported me during this exciting career journey.
Debbi
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Thank you for Supporting the
12th Annual FHA Unite Walk!
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Unite for Bleeding Disorders walk events occur in over 40 cities across the country with a shared mission to raise awareness and critical funds that provide educational programs, support services, and advocacy efforts in bleeding disorders communities. | |
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Florida Hemophilia Association’s 12th Annual Unite Walk was held on Sunday, November 13th at Markham Park. This exciting event was greeted with beautiful weather and tons of reasons to celebrate the bleeding disorders community, with so many members and friends of all ages uniting for an amazing cause!
Funds raised through Unite Walk efforts are the foundation of vital advocacy programs in Florida that help create change on behalf of the community. These efforts raise unrestricted funds for our compassionate care program, college scholarships, financial assistance, advocacy efforts, and educational programming and events. We are able to sustain and develop critical programs such as these thanks to your support.
FHA extends a heartfelt thank you to our 12th Annual Unite Walk Chair Lolisa Torbert! We are incredibly grateful for her time and dedication to the Unite mission, energizing this community, hosting a beautiful Pinwheel Ceremony, and showing leadership in fundraising efforts. And to our volunteers who gave their time and effort to the Walk, helping this day be as special as possible- THANK YOU SO MUCH!
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To date, the 12th Annual FHA Unite Walk has raised
$72,000!
❤️ Thank you, 2022 Unite Walk Team Captains and participants! ❤️
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Congratulations to the Top 5 Team Captains that were
awarded at the 12th Annual FHA Unite Walk!
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Debbi Adamkin, Team FHA Blood Drops for $10,520 Raised!
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Lolisa Torbert, Team Princeton for $4,690 Raised!
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Leslie Clark, Team Shaun's Sharks for $3,295 Raised!
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Audrey Mack, Team We Are CSL for $2,211 Raised!
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Albania Morales, Team Super S for $1,335 Raised!
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The 2022 FHA Unite for Bleeding Disorders Walk was made possible with the support of our sponsors:
Local Gold Sponsors
Accredo, CSL Behring, CSL Plasma, DrugCo Health, Octapharma, and Novo Nordisk
Local Bronze Sponsor
BioMatrix
Kids' Corner Sponsor
Nicklaus Children's Hospital
Balloon Arch & Refueling Station Sponsor
Optum
Pet Hydration Station Sponsor
Pet Supermarket
In-Kind Sponsors
DJ Alex Meyers the Host, Bagelmania, Del Monte Fresh Produce, Dunkin' Donuts, Miami HEAT, Natalie's Juice Company, NuGo Nutrition, Starbucks, and The Photobooth Bros.
Presenting Partners
Takeda and Hemophilia Alliance
National Community Partners
Biomarin and Sanofi
National Partners
AscellaHealth, Bayer, and HEMA Biologics
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FHA Board of Directors - Thank you, Debbi! | | |
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"I have had the pleasure of knowing Debbi and FHA for close to 10 years. We met at a networking event where she enthusiastically shared with me her work with FHA. It was not much later that she got me involved with the annual walks, golf tournaments, and conferences. Debbi’s hard work and dedication was so radiating that although I am not personally affected by a bleeding disorder, I was compelled to participate and help this community.
Her service and dedication to FHA and bleeding disorder community for 20+ Years has been nothing short of excellent. Her role as Executive Director of FHA will be greatly missed.
Although she is moving on to a different phase in her life path, knowing Debbi, she will continue to provide support and love to FHA and the community. We wish you nothing but the best!"
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"My family and I moved to Florida 10 years ago, and we were welcomed by the bleeding disorder community, as we were one their own since my son was born 2 years earlier. All this was possible due to the leadership and commitment of Debbi, who introduced us to the community, provided needed information, and connected us with families so we can better raise our son.
Debbi has been the driving force for our bleeding disorder community in Florida and beyond, with her relentless drive to advocate on our behalf, providing advice based on her own experience, and supporting families when they were in need.
It has been an honor for me to had been invited to serve in the Florida Hemophilia Association Board of Directors, and even more so to have Debbi as our FHA Executive Director. We will for sure miss you as our Executive Director."
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Carlos Moreta
Board Member
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Steve Tejiram
Vice President
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"For over 17 years, I have had the opportunity to work alongside Debbi, the most passionate individual who always believed in our community and building a stronger future for the bleeding
disorder populations.
When I had first met Debbi, I had not yet known about the Hemophilia community and chapters. Debbi introduced me and my family to a community that we are very passionate about and dear to my heart. Her resilience, determination, and aspirations have transformed the Florida Hemophilia Association into one of the most successful Hemophilia organizations that have helped a grand magnitude of bleeding disorder patients.
Debbi is one of the best fundraisers I have ever met with a determination that exceeds the limit; she never hesitates to ask for donations to help further FHA's mission. Being a part of Debbi’s network has taught me teamwork and leadership. She will be deeply missed by us, her board of directors, but I do know that she will always be an integral part of the Florida Hemophilia Association."
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The 4th Annual Conferencia Latina was a Hit! | |
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We had an amazing time at the 4th Annual Conferencia Latina in Cape Coral from December 9 to 11- a weekend full of learning, sharing, making memories, and celebrating Hispanic heritage!
Attendees enjoyed learning new and innovative information presented in a plethora of educational sessions and participated in interactive discussions about hot topics within the bleeding disorders community. We brought together dedicated experts and professionals in the field who work each day in the bleeding disorders community to speak and facilitate these vital sessions, helping keep our community members in-the-know and connected. We thank our 2022 Conferencia Latina speakers Dr. Fernando Corrales-Medina, Dr. Leslie Soto-Velez, and Lisette Sanchez, RN for their support, expertise, and passion for our community. Special thanks to maestro de ceremonias de la conferencia Jorge De La Riva for ringing in the weekend with a wonderful inauguration session.
Children and teens participated in exciting activities planned throughout their weekend. We are so grateful for Victoria Pereira and Maritza Figueroa for caring for our youngest conference attendees up to age 6 and creating fun crafts and activities for all. Muchas gracias to Mike Rosenthal for leading the older kids and teens in fun activities involving personal growth and teamwork.
Everyone brought their best moves on Saturday night for la Celebración de Nuestra Ultima Noche, where families enjoyed and danced to live Latin music sets performed by two-time Grammy winner Marlow Rosado and his orchestra. Rosado, a producer, composer, and pianist who incorporates elements of rock, hip-hop, reggaeton and bachata into his salsa recordings and performances, won an American Grammy in 2012 for “Best Tropical Latin Album,” (Retro) and a Latin Grammy in 2015 for “Best Children’s Album,” (Los Animales). Thank you, Marlow and friends!
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Muchísimas gracias to our volunteers who assisted the FHA staff with operating the event from beginning to end- YOU ARE SO APPRECIATED! | |
¡Nos vemos en la próxima! | |
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The 2022 Conferencia Latina was made possible with the support of our sponsors:
Emerald Level Sponsor
Takeda
Exhibition Sponsors
BioMarin, CSL Behring, Genentech, Octapharma, and Sanofi
Exhibitors
Bayer, CVS Specialty, Novo Nordisk, and Pfizer
Community Collaborators
Hemophilia Federation of America and National Hemophilia Foundation
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As a not-for-profit organization, we are fortunate and grateful for the funding we receive from grants, donors, and our industry partners so that we can continue providing you and your family with innovative and educational programs throughout the year, but we need your help to make the best of your organization!
Did you know that it costs FHA about $2000 per family of 4 to attend our Annual Bleeding Disorders Conference? When a family does not show up to an event without cancelling with ample time in advance, we still have to pay for that family's expenses, which include hotel room, meals, childcare, etc. Without cancelling with sufficient notice, we end up reserving space for educational sessions that could otherwise be transferred to another family.
We understand that emergencies happen and there may be cancellations. In these events, please contact us right away to give us enough time to coordinate and reserve the funds we work so hard to utilize to give back to the bleeding disorders community. When FHA incurs the costs for a short-notice cancellation or no-show, this cuts into the funding we use to provide these invaluable educational events and programming.
With 2023 right around the corner, we want to start the new year off strong! We are always happy to serve and strengthen this community, so please help us remain responsible with our resources. Thank you.
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Applications are open for NYLI! | |
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The National Hemophilia Foundation's National Youth Leadership Institute (NYLI) offers young adults (18-24 years old) in the bleeding disorders community with an annual leadership program that provides trainings and hands-on experience in personal growth, effective communication in advocacy, and collaborating with others.
NHF is accepting applications to join the 2023 NYLI program! Check out the link below to learn more about this excellent opportunity for young members of the bleeding disorders community. All applications are due no later than February 27, 2023. Interviews will be conducted in March and final candidates will be selected in early April.
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From your friends here at FHA, we wish you all a very happy and healthy holiday season and a Happy New Year!
2022 is nearly over, and we treasure the support we have received this year from you all, our dear members and friends of the bleeding disorders community. Onward to 2023, for another year of making a difference for those affected by bleeding disorders!
Debbi, Pepper, and Andres
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