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ADVOCACY PROFILE

Standing Up

Young adults from around the U.S. learn to
advocate for themselves in Washington

BY SARAH SHINKMAN, HFA STAFF

Hemophilia Federation of America’s third annual Young Adult Advocacy Summit took place in Washington, D.C., this fall.
The four-day event brought together 17 young adults with bleeding disorders from around the U.S. and focused on
developing advocacy and leadership skills through interactive training with experts in policy, advocacy and communications.
Attendees spent a day on Capitol Hill talking with legislators and their staff, as well as dropping off information packets at
20 offices in between meetings. Other highlights included an improv for advocacy workshop, takeover of HFA’s social media
accounts, evening tour of the D.C. monuments, health literacy presentation, and networking with other young adults with

bleeding disorders about the challenges they face every day. S

Top left: Jonathan of Florida shares his story during Capitol Hill visits; top right: Gage of Ohio and Jonathan of Florida talk during
the Improv for Advocacy workshop; middle left: Tameelah of South Carolina created a social media video during her time on Capitol
Hill; middle center: Hector of California listens intently on during the summit; middle, right: Sebastian of Puerto Rico, Frances and
Jonathan, both of Florida, pose outside the capitol. Bottom: Participants of the Young Adult Summit and HFA staff members pose
outside the Capitol.

10 DATELINE FEDERATION < www.hemophiliafed.org