Diane Lima

Diane Lima became a part of the bleeding disorders community when her son was diagnosed with severe Hemophilia A shortly after birth. With no family history of the condition, Diane and her family began attending events at their local chapter, the New England Hemophilia Association (NEHA). The community’s warmth and support were invaluable as Diane and her husband navigated the challenges of raising a child with a bleeding disorder.

When Diane’s son was five, she faced the possibility of losing her job at the local hospital due to layoffs. Her primary concern was not for her job but for the excellent health insurance it provided. At the time, lifetime caps were a significant issue for those with hemophilia, and Diane knew that losing her insurance, which did not have a lifetime cap, could jeopardize her son’s health. Fortunately, she secured another position at the hospital, avoiding a lapse in coverage. This experience underscored the importance of advocacy, prompting Diane to join NEHA’s advocacy committee soon after.

Diane went on to serve on the NEHA board from 2011 to 2018 and was a founding member of the New England Bleeding Disorders Advocacy Coalition (NEBDAC). She has participated in numerous state-level advocacy days and several national events, meeting with lawmakers on Capitol Hill.

Diane served on the Hemophilia Federation of America (HFA) board from 2012 to 2018, including two terms as board secretary, and was re-elected to the board in 2023.

Currently, Diane works as a Senior Clinical Analyst for a healthcare system and lives in Rhode Island with her family.