Page 2 - HFA Dateline 2021 Q3 Fall

HI FRIENDS,

Can you believe it’s holiday time already? Fall is my absolute favorite time of year. Here in
the Pacific Northwest, the leaves become beautiful colors, the air is crisp and everything
feels cozier. And despite the busyness of life, I’m also trying to find moments of reflection
and gratitude. What are you grateful for in this season?

Have you heard that Sharon Meyers and I are going on Facebook Live each month? Tune
in on the first Friday of every month at 12 p.m. Eastern for “Coffee and Conversations”!
We chat about life and what’s happening at Hemophilia Federation of America (HFA) and
answer any questions that come up. We’d love for you to join us!

As I write this, it is full-speed ahead for this year’s HFA Virtual Symposium, held in
October. I hope you had an amazing experience. Look for a recap in the next magazine
issue.

In this issue are a couple of features
encompassing all ages of the bleeding
disorders community. On page 12, we
examine some of the issues related to aging
that men with hemophilia may need to
address. With advancements in treatment
and blood safety, this generation is living
longer and longer, which means they will
need to address normal aging issues such
as heart health, preventive screenings like
colonoscopies, cancer risks and high blood
pressure.

On page 18, we introduce you to parents in
the bleeding disorders community who built
or grew their families through adoption. They
talk about the joys, challenges and what
questions they wished they had asked.

This issue is full of inspiring and positive
news, like the Good for Gears cyclists who raised money for the bleeding disorders
community (see photo above) and the hemophilia mom inspired by our community to
launch a fundraiser in her town. On page 28, see our latest scholarship recipients, and
on page 26, read first-person essays from two first-time attendees of the Young Adult
Advocacy Summit.

Please enjoy this issue of Dateline Federation. As always, if you have questions about
anything included within these pages, please reach out to the HFA team. We are here to
support you!

Allie Ritcey

Chair, HFA Board of Directors

2 DATELINE FEDERATION < www.hemophiliafed.org