Ann Kendall | Co-Chair VHF/HACA Advocacy Committee
Fall 2019 will be a busy time in advocacy throughout Virginia from dinners to educational calls. This fall, we also launch our new Advocacy Ambassadors program – leading up to what we expect to be a busy legislative session beginning in January.
VHF Advocacy Dinners, September 26: Richmond, Roanoke, Virginia Beach. Dinners will focus on advocacy related issues, such as storytelling, self-advocacy, and tools for advocacy in the larger community. Local elected officials will also be joining us in Roanoke and Richmond. To register for your local dinner, please go here:
Advocacy Committee: Monthly Educational Calls. Each month, our advocacy committee will host educational phone calls on topics of importance leading up to Richmond Days 2020. Topics set for inclusion this fall: pharmacy issues, Virginia’s rare disease caucus and “junk” insurance plans.
Advocacy Ambassadors: This fall, we will be developing a group of dedicated Advocacy Ambassadors to deepen our connections with local elected and appointed officials. Ambassadors will work to create relationships, provide introductions and establish local awareness of the bleeding disorders community. Activities for ambassadors may include:
- Work to develop a local “Light it up Red” event,
- Attend in-district events for local and federal-level elected officials,
- Share our advocacy talking points with fellow VHF members close to home,
- Serve as advocacy dinner hosts.
To learn more about the Advocacy Committee or Advocacy Ambassadors program, please contact Kelly Waters at kelly@vahemophilia.org.
Richmond Days 2020: January 19-20. Mark your calendars and plan ahead for this critical time when we gather in Richmond, work together on storytelling and advocacy strategies and meet with our representatives during General Assembly.
