VHF Community Members,
As our mission states we are dedicated to serving and supporting the needs of those impacted by a bleeding disorder through education, advocacy, and community. During the current health crisis this is now more important than ever. While we have postponed in-person events our goal is to continue to build and educate this community by keeping you all as informed as possible. We plan to provide regular emails, social media posts, and we are considering the possibility of virtual events until it is deemed safe to resume in-person gatherings. We are in this together!
Also please continue to join us in following updates and guidance from the following sources:
Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
Virginia Department of Health (VDH)
Hemophilia Federation of America (HFA) Resources
HFA is offering a special hub full of letters and statements from medical partners and industry, product availability and news, information and resources for patients in the event of insurance, care or product concerns, as well as medical and mental health resources for our community. Go here to learn more.
HFA Let’s Talk Mental Health in Times of Crisis webinar will be at 4 p.m. ET this Wednesday, March 18. It will take a direct look at how it feels to be a person with a bleeding disorder during a global pandemic such as the COVID-19. Gary McClain, Ph.D., LMHC, CEAP, will lead a discussion on how best to mentally prepare and properly cope with these unique feelings this community is facing. Go here to register.
National Hemophilia Foundation (NHF) Resources
NHF’s newly appointed President and CEO, Leonard A. Valentino, MD has an important statement for the bleeding disorders community, go here to read.
In addition you can visit the NHF Community News page to read updates on MASAC recommendations, product safety, and more. Go here to learn more.
VHF IMPORTANT UPDATES
The CDC has recommended that all gatherings over 50 people should be canceled or postponed. As a result, all VHF in-person events until May 31, 2020 are postponed. More information will be provided as we know more.
The following events are now postponed:
March 19 – Educational Dinner in Richmond
March 26 – Educational Dinner in Newport News
April 19 – Red Tie Soiree
April 23-25 – Hemophilia Federation of America (HFA) Symposium in Baltimore
May 2 – Educational Lunch and Community Event in Roanoke
May 16 – First Step Program
May 21 – Educational Dinner in Tidewater Area
Camp Application – The Camp Youngblood application has been extended until April 30. If you haven’t already done so, you can apply here. If you have any questions or concerns, please email campisgood@campholidaytrails.org or call/text Camp Holiday Trails at 434-282-7412.
Financial Assistance Program – VHF provides financial support, based on availability of funding, to help pay for: Expenses incurred in the care, treatment, or prevention of an inherited bleeding disorder. Other basic living expenses will be considered on a case by case basis. To learn more go here , contact your HTC social worker, or contact Kelly Waters at 804-740-8643 kelly@vahemophilia.org.
Donations – If you are in a financial position to do so, please consider making a donation to VHF. Your support will help to ensure that we get through this crisis and continue to do important work for the bleeding disorders community. Go here to learn more or contact Megan Schowengerdt at 804-740-8643 megan@vahemophilia.org.
Our staff will continue to be available and we appreciate your patience as we learn to navigate this difficult time. Please feel free to email us at info@vahemophilia.org and/or call 804-740-8643 if we can be of assistance.
