HFA Press Release: Facebook Fans Bring Community Friends Together

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Washington, D.C.:  There is no doubt that the social media trend has changed how the world communicates. From world events and tragedies to simply linking people together in a personal day-to-day style, social forums like Facebook have made an impact.  At the Hemophilia Federation of America (HFA), this is also true.  HFA has reached an important milestone of 2,010 Facebook fans in 2010, a goal set last fall that seemed a stretch goal, at best, at the time. Today, it is a reality.
“We are delighted to reach this goal so early in the year,” states Kimberly Haugstad, HFA Executive Director.  “Reaching 2,010 so quickly illustrates an important need that we can fill.  Even in our age of technology, people are ultimately about connections, relationships and sense of community.  Research certainly cites this and now we can demonstrate this through practical use.”
Begun in July 2009 as a new avenue to reach the grassroots constituency of HFA, Facebook has become a key communication method for the organization’s outreach efforts.  It is focused, relatively inexpensive and has proven to be an effective way to reach people.
Maintaining a Facebook fan page is not without the continued challenge of always keeping the content engaging and interesting. “It is a not too much, nor too little of a balance to stay fresh,” notes Katie Whittle, HFA’s Program Coordinator who manages the Facebook page. “I’m proud to be a part of making this a reality and thrilled we’re reaching so many.”
Fans vary across a wide demographic, reaching parents, friends, supporters, other family members and individuals impacted by bleeding disorders. An interest in the cause is the glue that brings them together.  “We provide a variety of practical information for individuals as well as an ongoing self-advocacy message. Above all, we’re reaching out to help make connections and offer our support,” says Whittle.   
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The Hemophilia Federation of America is a national 501(c)(3) organization consisting of 30 member organizations and numerous individual members who offer assistance and grassroots advocacy on behalf of the bleeding disorders community.   Incorporated in 1994, the HFA provides programs and services to improve the quality of life for persons with hemophilia and von Willebrand disease (VWD).
For more information, visit our website at www.hemophiliafed.org or call 1-800-230-9797.
HFA CONTACT:  Susan Swindle, Development Director | 713.203.8548 | s.swindle@hemophiliafed.org