VIRGINIA HEMOPHILIA FOUNDATION | VHF
MONTHLY NEWS & UPDATES
JUNE 2019
VHF'S TOP TEN LIST FOR FISCAL YEAR JULY 2018 - JUNE 2019

Kelly Waters, LCSW, MSW, Executive Director | Virginia Hemophilia Foundation

What a year VHF has had in Fiscal Year July 2018 - June 2019! It has been an honor for me to work and partner together with this amazing community. VHF continues to work hard to provide programs and services that are most important to you. And we couldn’t have done it without your service and contributions. THANK YOU! Do not hesitate to reach out to me at [email protected] if I can be of service. I look forward to another great year! And as I reflect on this past fiscal year (while up late at night) I am remembering David Letterman and his love of “Top Ten” Lists. Well, here is my TOP TEN LIST of VHF’s past fiscal year (in order of when they happened). What is yours?

VIRGINIA HEMOPHILIA FOUNDATION'S TOP TEN LIST:
WHY I WALK: UNITE WALK TEAM CAPTAIN SPOTLIGHT

Krista Davidson | Team Captain - Star City Bleeders

My name is Krista Davidson and I am Team Captain of the Star City Bleeders, this year our team has set a $2,000 fundraising goal! We walk in honor of my son Cody and all those affected by bleeding disorders. The walk is a great way to raise funds to support the bleeding disorders community. My best tips for fundraising are to get creative, talk ideas out with other team members, and don't limit yourself to one fundraising source. Our team has come up with some cool ideas to raise money. Be willing to try (almost) anything to get to your goal!

Over Cody's short twelve years, and even before he was born, we have been taken care of by this community. Now, it's our time to give back to another individual or family.
UNITE FOR BLEEDING DISORDERS WALK - REGISTER IN JUNE AND GET ENTERED TO WIN A $25 GAS CARD!

VHF is excited to be a part of the National Hemophilia Foundation (NHF) walk program, Unite for Bleeding Disorders for our second year. We need YOUR help to reach our $50K goal - this event is a wonderful way to bring community members together with their friends and families in celebration of our UNITY and strength!  Registration is FREE and all are welcome - company and family teams are encouraged to participate.

Register yourself for the Unite Walk-Richmond in June and get entered to win a $25 gas card! Congratulations to Marquita Reinhardt for winning our May walk registration incentive.

When: Sunday, October 20th, 11:00 am 

Where: Robious Landing Park, Midlothian
CDC UNVEILS NEW TOOL TO VISUALLY REPRESENT AND SHARE COMMUNITY COUNTS DATA

Community Counts is a public health monitoring program funded by CDC’s Division of Blood Disorders through a cooperative agreement awarded to the American Thrombosis and Hemostasis Network (ATHN) in partnership with the U.S. Hemophilia Treatment Center Network. The purpose of this project is to gather and share information about common health issues, medical complications, and causes of death that affect people with bleeding disorders cared for in U.S. Hemophilia Treatment Centers. Go here to learn more.
ADVOCACY UPDATE

It’s not too early to start thinking about fall activities – and the VHF advocacy calendar. Mark September 26th on your calendar for advocacy focused dinners around the state including Richmond, Roanoke and Virginia Beach. Over the summer we’ll also be working on a new program – Advocacy Ambassadors – so that we can help each other with sharing our issues around the state. Stay tuned!

Also we wanted to make sure you were aware of Hemophilia Federation of America’s Virtual Hill Day scheduled for Monday, June 10th. This is your opportunity to contact your Representatives and Senators about legislative issues important to the bleeding disorders community! Check out our facebook page on June 10th to learn more.
INDUSTRY ADVERTISEMENT
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Whether you’re living with a bleeding disorder or you’re an unstoppable caregiver, here’s some news to note: Baxalta and Shire are now part of Takeda. And while the name has changed, the factor treatments, educational programs, and robust community support you count on haven’t gone anywhere. In fact, Takeda will… 
JOIN US!
*Sponsorship of 2019 events is still available, for more information contact Kelly Waters at [email protected] or 804-740-8643*
HACA/VHF TEEN RETREAT - VIRGINIA BEACH

A weekend of fun and learning for teens that are faced with similar challenges. Highlights include: Sessions on educational opportunities, scholarships, storytelling and advocacy, a panel discussion with young adults who are affected by a bleeding disorder, and a community event at the adventure park!

For teens age 13–17 who live within HACA/VHF territory and meet one of the following criteria:
  • Have a bleeding disorder
  • Are the sibling of someone with a bleeding disorder
  • Have a parent/caregiver with a bleeding disorder

When: Friday, August 9 - Sunday, August 11, 2019

Where: The Founder's Inn and Spa, Virginia Beach

Cost: $25 registration fee per family

If a hotel room is requested then parent/caregiver must be in attendance with registered teen(s). Overnight accommodations at The Founder’s Inn will be available on Friday, August 9th and Saturday, August 10th.
HACA/VHF YOUNG ADULT RETREAT - VIRGINIA BEACH

JOIN US FOR OUR FIRST EVER YOUNG ADULT RETREAT! A weekend of connection and learning for young adults that are faced with similar challenges. Join us for a chance to develop tools for self-advocacy and continued learning. What to expect: Opportunities for growth and skill development through interactive sessions on navigating the insurance landscape, do’s and don’ts of career success, disclosure, time for relationship building, and more.

For young adults 18-24 who live within HACA/VHF territory and meet one of the following criteria:
  • Have a bleeding disorder
  • Are the sibling of someone with a bleeding disorder
  • Have a parent/caregiver with a bleeding disorder

When: Friday, August 9 - Sunday, August 11, 2019

Where: The Founder's Inn and Spa, Virginia Beach

Cost: $25 fee per registration *If you are a young adult 21 and older and you are paying for yourself and the fee is a barrier for you to be able to attend please check “pay by check” on the payment form and email [email protected] to discuss options.*

If a hotel room is requested then young adult must be 21 or older or have a parent/caregiver in attendance. Overnight accommodations at The Founder’s Inn will be available on Friday, August 9th and Saturday, August 10th.
EDUCATIONAL DINNER - RICHMOND

Join us for an educational program for individuals with an inherited bleeding disorder. Dinner will be provided and there is no fee to attend.

Topic: Resilience: Growing through Life’s Changes

Managing stress is an important aspect of our everyday lives. This presentation will discuss some of the common causes of stress and provide some examples of how to better adapt and manage adversity. Through some interactive and fun activities, you will explore what it means to be resilient and learn some associated skills as well as tips and tools for living a healthy lifestyle.

Speaker: Betsy Koval, Senior Clinical Specialist, Takeda

When: Thursday, August 15th, 6:00 pm

Where: Maggiano’s Short Pump Town Center, Richmond
SAVE THE DATE FOR THE BOMBARDIER BLOOD DOCUMENTARY SCREENING IN NORFOLK VIRGINIA ON SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 14TH - MORE DETAILS TO COME!

Colorado-based Mountaineer Chris Bombardier has never let severe hemophilia stop him from climbing some of the world’s tallest mountains. In 2017, Chris partnered with hemophiliac filmmaker Patrick James Lynch and his award-winning production team at Believe Limited to film his journey through Nepal to summit the world’s tallest peak, Mount Everest. Go here to learn more about the film.
Check out our photos on Flickr