Bleeding Disorders Awareness Month has been observed each March since 2016, after being designated as a national health observance by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. BDAM aims to increase awareness of inheritable blood and bleeding disorders among the public, as well as bring them to the attention of policymakers, public authorities, industry representatives, scientists, and health professionals. Prior to BDAM, March was known “Hemophilia Awareness Month” – a designation confirmed by President Ronald Reagan in March 1986.

HFM Advocacy Update

First, thank you to our patient advocates, everyone who provided hearing testimony, and everyone who emailed or call their legislators in support of our #makeallcopayscount efforts!

Wednesday’s Senate SB595 Finance Hearing:

• The Senate Finance Hearing went well. We have several champions on the Committee, most notably our sponsor Senator Hershey did a great job calling out the inaccuracies in the payer’s testimony and the negative consequences of their proposed amendments. 
• I encourage everyone to reach out to Senator Hershey and his team at steve.hershey@senate.state.md.us to thank them for their leadership on this issue. Contact information for the entire committee can be found here.
• The hearing can be viewed here starting at 1:23:40.

Thursday’s HB879 House Government and Operations Hearing:

• The HGO Hearing was not ideal. The Committee was provided with amended language shortly before the hearing began. The amended bill strips out the majority of the introduced language and inserts the “generic carve-out” language we have seen in other states as well as new language regarding how copay assistance is provided to patients.
• The hearing can be viewed here starting at 2:05:00.
• An HGO committee working group meeting will take place on March 5th at 11:00 a.m. Any community members interested in attending via zoom are urged to reach out to HFM for the zoom link.

Join HFM and Sanofi for a

World Hemophilia Day Celebration

on Saturday, April 6th, 2024

Last Call!!! Important Summer Camp Update!

Please Read Carefully!!

Join the Hemophilia Foundation of Maryland for the hottest event of the year: our Annual Bull, Beer & Oyster Roast on Saturday, March 16th, 2024, from 7-11 pm at the UAW Hall, 1010 Oldham, Baltimore, Maryland 21224. (You must be 21 or over to attend.)Tickets are priced at $50 each and include a delightful menu featuring Raw Oysters, Top Round Beef on the Pit, Roasted Turkey Breast, Sweet Italian Sausage, Homemade MD Crab Soup, Baked BBQ Chicken, Assorted Salads & More! Enjoy unlimited Beer & Soda throughout the evening.

This exciting event will also feature music by Maroon Sounds and a 360 photo booth from Sassy Stylz. Additionally, indulge in our fabulous silent auction! Hurry, secure your tickets today as this event sells out every year!

Purchase tickets:

1. Via Venmo @hfmonline
2. Via cash app at $hfmonline
3. Mail payment to HFM, 13 Class Court, Parkville, MD 21234
4. Purchase tickets via eventbrite (Note: tickets purchased on eventbrite include a processing fee). Visit: http://tinyurl.com/HFMBullRoast2024