March is Bleeding Disorders Awareness Month, and we are dedicating the next 30 days to raising awareness across our social media channels, starting with Von Willebrand Disease (VWD) Awareness Day on March 1. As we highlight VWD, Ultra-Rare Bleeding Disorders, Hemophilia Awareness, and the experiences of women with bleeding disorders, we also celebrate VHF’s 50th Anniversary and the impact of our community. During this Season of Giving, we invite you to support our mission—your donation directly funds scholarships and Camp Youngblood, ensuring those with bleeding disorders receive the care and support they need.

Von Willebrand Disease and Me

By Giselle Washington

When I was three years old, I was diagnosed with a bleeding disorder VWD [von Willebrand disease] that means when I get a cut or a bruise it will bleed longer than most kids. Sometimes I get a nosebleed at school, and I must see the nurse. People ask me why that happens to me and say that it is not fun and isn’t but there is a special medicine that I can take to help stop the bleeding and it’s called Factor [Factor is a type of medicine that people with bleeding disorders take through a needle.]

Apply For A VHF Travel Grant To Attend The 2025 NBDF Bleeding Disorders Conference

Application deadline for VHF travel grant for NBDF Bleeding Disorders Conference is 5:00 pm, Friday, April 4, 2025

VHF is offering Travel Grants through the Terry Lamb Enrichment Scholarship, providing community members with the opportunity to attend the National Bleeding Disorders Foundation (NBDF) Bleeding Disorders Conference (BDC) in Aurora-Denver, Colorado, from August 21 to 23, 2025.

Family Camp at Camp Holiday Trails Is Back!

Application deadline for Family Camp is Friday, April 11, 2025.

Experience an unforgettable weekend at Camp Holiday Trails (CHT) with VHF! Connect with other families affected by bleeding disorders while enjoying education, community, and classic camp fun. This special program is designed for families with at least one child living at home who is between the ages of 5 – 17.

Registration Is Now Open For Camp Youngblood

Application deadline for Camp Youngblood is Wednesday, April 23, 2025

Get ready for an unforgettable week at Camp Youngblood, held at Camp Holiday Trails in Charlottesville, VA, from Sun., July 13–Fri., July 18. This overnight camp is designed for children ages 7–17 with inherited bleeding disorders, their siblings, and children of community members within the VHF or HACA coverage areas. Campers will enjoy a week of fun, learning, and connection with others who share similar life experiences. 

New Family Support And Education

Join VHF at the Richmond Zoo on Saturday, April 26th for a special program designed to support families of infants and young children diagnosed with inherited bleeding disorders. This event offers an opportunity to connect with the bleeding disorders community and gain valuable education and resources.

VHF Lyman Fisher Scholarship

 VHF Lyman Fisher Scholarship application deadline is Thursday, May 1, 2025, at 5:00 pm.

For students in the bleeding disorders community, higher education can be financially challenging. Fortunately, the VHF Lyman Fisher scholarship is available to help ease the burden and support your academic journey.

Advocacy Update: 2025 General Assembly Session

In the 2025 session, VHF and HACA monitored bills related to school health policies, health insurance, medical debt, drug affordability, and the budget bill, including threats to Medicaid.

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Thank You To The Social Workers In The Bleeding Disorders Community!

March is Social Work Month, and this year’s theme, “Social Work: Compassion + Action,” recognizes the dedication social workers bring to supporting individuals, families, and communities. We are especially grateful for the social workers in the Virginia bleeding disorders community, including VHF’s Executive Director, Kelly Waters; Caitlin Carroll, Director of Programs at Camp Holiday Trails, our summer camp partner; and the dedicated social workers at our Hemophilia Treatment Centers (HTCs): Megan Songer (CHKD-HTC), Isabella Kitzmann and Leah Willey (UVA-HTC), and Lauren Dunn (VCU-HTC). These professionals provide essential servicesand their expertise and commitment make a lasting impact on the lives of those with bleeding disorders. This month, we celebrate and honor the compassion and action of social workers everywhere and thank them for the difference they make every day.

Enhancing Mental Health In Hemophilia B

In this episode of Boundless B, the Coalition for Hemophilia B podcast, learn about the powerful impact of community on mental health with clinical psychologist Mina Nguyen-Driver, PsyD. Discover how strong support networks significantly boost well-being and resilience for those living with hemophilia B.

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