RICHMOND – VHF 50th Anniversary Celebration! A Golden Milestone: Honoring Our Past, Building Our Future
March 16, 2025 @ 10:30 am - 1:00 pm
A Golden Milestone: Honoring Our Past, Building Our Future. Celebrate 50 Years of the Virginia Hemophilia Foundation (VHF) at the beautiful Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden! On March 16, 2025, everyone is welcome to join us for this special celebration as we come together to honor 50 years of support, connection, and progress within our bleeding disorders community. Set against the backdrop of Lewis Ginter’s 50 acres of year-round beauty with themed gardens like the Rose Garden and Cherry Tree Walk, a children’s area, and the iconic domed Conservatory, this celebration offers a perfect space for reflection, connection, and inspiration. Together, we’ll honor our past, celebrate our present, and look forward to a bright future.
March is Bleeding Disorders Awareness Month a time to raise awareness, promote education, and honor the dedication and achievements of the bleeding disorders community. Join YOUR VHF community in celebrating this meaningful month and milestone 50th Anniversary event at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden. Together, we’ll learn, connect, and create lasting memories with friends and family in a festive and supportive setting. Don’t forget to shop our exclusive 50th Anniversary merchandise—$1 from every sale supports the creation of VHF’s Sitting Wall, a serene memorial honoring our community, to be unveiled during the celebration. Learn more here.
Event Highlights: As you arrive at the celebration, you’ll be welcomed with refreshments—a perfect opportunity to enjoy great food, connect with fellow community members, and explore our industry partners’ exhibit booths.The day promises to be filled with excitement and fun activities, including a caricature artist capturing keepsake sketches and a photo booth where you can create memories with friends and family. You will also get the chance to explore our archives and to dive deep into the rich history of the bleeding disorders community.
A special moment of the event will be the unveiling of a sitting wall with an engraved memorial plaque. Overlooking the gardens and water, this peaceful spot will provide a place for reflection, honor those we have lost, celebrate the contributions of so many to our mission, and serve as a lasting symbol of our community’s strength and unity.
Tentative Program Schedule:
10:30 AM – 11:15 AM: Guest Arrival, Refreshments, Entertainment, and Exhibit Tables
11:15 AM – 11:25 AM: Welcome & Opening Remarks
11:25 AM – 11:35 AM: Recognition Ceremony & Moment of Silence
11:35 AM – 12:00 PM: “Honoring Our Past” – Reflections from past leaders and contributors
12:00 PM – 12:10 PM: “Celebrating Our Present” – Keynote by a special guest speaker
12:10 PM – 12:15 PM: Video Presentation on the future of VHF
12:15 PM – 12:25 PM: “Building Our Future” – Closing Remarks
12:25 PM – 1:00 PM: Networking, Refreshments, Entertainment, and Exhibit Tables
Optional: At 1:00 PM, join us for a group walk to the sitting wall for a commemorative photo, if you have a favorite VHF t-shirt or sweatshirt please wear it or shop our exclusive 50th Anniversary merchandise—$1 from every sale supports the creation of VHF’s Sitting Wall learn more here.Guests are welcome to continue exploring the gardens after the event.
Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to honor the journey, celebrate the community, and shape the future of VHF. Let’s make this golden milestone an unforgettable moment in our shared history. We can’t wait to celebrate with you!
The event is free to attend, and casual dress is encouraged, but we kindly ask that you register in advance here. If you have any questions contact Kelly Waters at info@vahemophilia.org or 804-740-8643.
Thank you to our current sponsor(s): Takeda, Genentech, and UVA Hemophilia Treatment Center
VHF Behavior Guidelines: VHF is committed to offering programs that are safe and inclusive for all members of the inherited bleeding disorders community. All participants—including attendees, exhibitors, vendors, staff, volunteers, and other stakeholders—are expected to adhere to the VHF Event Behavior Guidelines.