[glossary_exclude]
“Thank you for your financial assistance so that we were able to add a chair lift. Prior to installation, I had numerous falls which were injuring to my knees causing decreased stability and mobility. Since the chair lift installation, I have not had a fall and my knees are strengthening and I have more stability and mobility. With your financial assistance, we were able to make our home a safe environment.Â
– Helping Hands Recipient, 2013
“This summer we assisted a woman living with a bleeding disorder by purchasing a Cyro Cuff for her knee that she was experiencing a prolonged joint bleed in. Her doctor recommended ordering a Cyro Cuff to help reduce the swelling and speed up her recovery. After finding out that her insurance policy did not cover Cyro Cuff, she reached out to HFA’s Helping Hands program to seek assistance in obtaining a knee cuff. I’m so glad that we were able to purchase the cuff for her and assist her in the recovery process.”
 – Elaine, HFA Helping Hands Coordinator
About HFA’s Helping Hands Program:
Helping Hands is a unique financial assistance program that provides individuals and families within the bleeding disorders community with basic living expenses. It was designed to be a rapid, non-invasive, temporary resource for emergency situations and provide a foundation for future financial stability.
In 2013, Helping Hands assisted 242 households and distributed over $95,000 in direct aid to families in the bleeding disorders community! Of those 242 households helped in 2013, we assisted 114 families/individuals by purchasing durable medical items to help improve their quality of life.
History of Helping Hands:
In 1997, HFA started the Helping Hands program when it noticed there was an unmet need within the bleeding disorders community. Initially, the assistance provided was in a compassionate nature rather than financial assistance. Assistance included a Nintendo for a co-infected young patient to find joy in his last days, a catered dinner for a man who wanted to do something nice for his wife who took care of him while single handedly supporting the family, and movie tickets for a family to “get away” from the daily struggles of doctors’ appointments and infusions. Over the years, Helping Hands evolved into a program providing assistance with basic living expenses for individuals and families  experiencing hardships related to their bleeding disorders.
Help Us Help Others!Â
In 2014, HFA is hosting two Gears for Good bike rides to raise funds to support this critical community safety net. In June, riders rode along the Northern Rail Trail in New Hampshire for the inaugural regional Gears for Good bike ride. In the fall, the fourth annual Gears for Good bike ride from West Virginia to Washington, DC will take place September 26-28. In both bike rides, riders will have the opportunity to connect while raising awareness and funds for community members in need.
When you make a tax-deductible contribution of $25 or more to support this critical cause, you will be entered into a raffle to win a free trip (airfare and hotel paid for) to Symposium 2015 in St. Louis! Note: the winner will be announced in October.
Donate Now!
[/glossary_exclude]
