Hemophilia Federation of America is a national nonprofit organization that assists, educates and advocates for the bleeding disorders community.
Dear Addy, I’d like to be more involved in my local organization’s advocacy work in the new year, but I have a hard time coming up with the right words to get my point across. Does HFA have any resources for storytelling for advocacy? Signed, In Need of Instruction Dear Instruction, You came to the […]
Dear Addy, I know that the Open Enrollment Period for health insurance is right around the corner. As a person with a bleeding disorder, what should I look for in an insurance plan? Signed, Savvy Subscriber Dear Subscriber, The Open Enrollment Period is a time frame each year when health insurance plans or HMOs (health maintenance organizations) are […]
About a year or so ago, I thought it would be a great idea for HFA to apply to be a Charity Partner for the Marine Corp Marathon in Washington, D.C. When we were selected, I was beyond excited. Running a marathon was on my bucket list. I know, really cliché, but true. It was […]
You have decided to take the first step toward mental health care, but how do you get started? Luckily you have options and many people around who are eager to help. Most times, the initial step of reaching out are with the individuals and groups that you most trust, such as family, friends, physician, […]
Dear Addy, I recently enrolled in Medicare and I got a notice that open enrollment for 2019 is coming up. What do I need to know about choosing my plan for the coming year? Signed, Medicare Madness Dear Medicare Madness, You are right: Medicare open enrollment for 2019 is fast approaching! The open enrollment period […]
El siguiente es un comunicado de prensa proporcionado por Genentech. LA FDA APRUEBA HEMLIBRA® DE GENENTECH (EMICIZUMAB-KXWH) PARA LA HEMOFILIA A SIN INHIBIDORES DE FACTOR VIII – El primer medicamento que reduce considerablemente la hemorragia tratada en comparación con la previa profilaxis de factor VIII basada en una comparación intrapaciente – – Único medicamento que puede […]
Dear Addy, I watched a few of HFA’s PRIDE Project webinars. Can you explain to me how engaging in research will make me a better advocate? Signed, Curious about Research Dear Curious, It’s great to hear that you watched some of the PRIDE Project webinars, as those webinars provide an introduction to and basic training […]
My boys went back to school this past week, and while I’m not exactly a pro, I have done this before. My youngest, Myles started first grade while my oldest, Zachary, began fifth grade. The first week of school is exhausting, overwhelming, and frustrating. It won’t be a picnic for a child with a bleeding disorder and a […]
Dear Addy, With the midterm election fast approaching, does HFA have any tools to assist voters? I’d like to see who the candidates are in my district and state and where they stand on access to healthcare for the bleeding disorders community. Signed, Informed Voter Dear Voter, This is a great and timely question with […]
!Mes Nacional de la Herencia Hispana! Publicación de la semana cuatro Alguna vez se ha preguntado como sabe su doctor que el medicamento que le está recentando es efectivo y adecuado para tratar su condición… A través de la investigación se informan decisiones sobre medicamentos, asà como otras preguntas sobre la eficacia, seguridad e idoneidad de […]
We’ve been lucky enough to have Maddox home with us since he was diagnosed at 6 months old. My husband works nights, so he watches him during the day. We pulled him from daycare at 6 months because we were worried about other kids throwing things at him, and potentially him making the wrong move […]
Dear Addy, My local organization is hosting a few events this fall and I’d like to invite our U.S. Representative to attend. How do I send them an invitation? Signed, Active Constituent Dear Constituent, This is a timely question, as mid-term elections are a few months away and members of the House of Representatives and […]
Dear Addy, I recently attended an event and learned about submitting issues with my insurance to HFA’s Project CALLS. However, I still have some questions about how CALLS works and what happens when I submit an issue. Can you explain the process? Signed, CALLS Quandary Dear Quandary, HFA created an infographic to answer this very […]
Next week, my 15-year-old son with severe hemophilia A will go back to school. Normally at this point in the summer, I’ve done my due diligence by asking for his teachers’ names, ensured his schedule doesn’t have him running all over campus, and asking for a meeting with the powers that be to teach them […]
Dear Addy, I’ve heard friends in the bleeding disorders community speak about depression and other mental health concerns. I want to support them, but I’m not sure how to approach this sensitive topic. Can you offer guidance on how to have a conversation with friends about mental health? Signed, Caring Friend Dear Friend, Thank you […]
Hemophilia Federation of America will recognize 25 years serving the bleeding disorders community in 2019 with plans to display historical records at its annual symposium in San Diego. The Washington, D.C.-based organization is currently collecting archival-type material, such as vintage medical equipment, supplies, rally posters, journals, diaries, newsletters, documents, photographs and other items representing the […]
Dear Addy, I have a bleeding disorder and two siblings who are unaffected. My siblings often ask how they can help or what they can do to support me. How do I share with them what I’m feeling and how to best support me? I don’t want to burden them with my issues. Signed, Supportive […]
I recently had the opportunity of volunteering to be one of the nurses in the infusion center at the annual HFA symposium. I had the privilege of working with two amazing nurses that work in the hemophilia community. I quickly realized that they both had so much knowledge in the hemophilia world! l learned so […]
Dear Addy, I’d like to meet with my legislators at home during Congress’s August recess. How do I schedule a meeting? Signed, Recess Rockstar Dear Recess, August recess is a great time to meet with your federal legislators at home. Members of the House of Representatives will be on recess from July 27 through Sept. […]
The halfway point of our Policy and Government Relations Internship program is an excellent time for Alexandra and Catherine to reflect on the first five weeks of their internship. In this blog post, Alexandra and Catherine break down what an average week looks like for them as HFA interns and they talk about what the […]
Dear Addy, I’ve seen HFA post information on accumulator adjuster programs, but I’m still a little unclear about what this means and how I could be affected. Does HFA have any other resources on accumulator adjuster programs? Signed, Deductible Detective Dear Detective, This is a great question, as accumulator adjuster programs (AAPs) are increasingly common in the […]
We’ve introduced you to Alexandra and Catherine, our summer Policy interns. They have been busy in D.C., attending Congressional hearings and learning the ropes of working for a national organization. During their second week, they experienced first-hand the planning and execution of our fifth annual Patient Fly-In. Read their experiences through their eyes on how […]
This post is written as a special shout-out to my husband; a hemo dad, and all the other caregivers who have patience just like my husband Shane. I’m pretty lucky to have a husband who is very involved in Maddox’s infusions. My husband, Shane, gives Maddox his infusions three times a week. As a full-time […]
Dear Addy, I saw a post on HFA’s Facebook page about a Virtual Hill Day on June 12. Can you tell me more about this and how people outside of D.C. can be involved? Signed, Virtual Visitor Dear Visitor, Every year, HFA hosts a fly-in for members of the bleeding disorders community to come to […]
Earlier this year, we opened applications for a ten-week policy and government relations internship* for this summer. We are excited to introduce you to the two candidates that we selected! Alexandra Abreu Boria and Catherine Anderson, who are part of the bleeding disorders community and have been chosen because of their leadership qualities and interest in […]
Soy Sylvia Verardi y vivo en la isla de Puerto Rico. Mucha gente no sabe esto, pero Puerto Rico es un territorio estadounidense en el Caribe; está bastante cerca de las Islas VÃrgenes de los Estados Unidos. Somos un Estado Libre Asociado y el año pasado pasamos por dos huracanes, Irma y MarÃa, que nos […]
Dear Addy, This summer, my family has plans to travel and attend camp, in addition to numerous other activities and commitments. Can you recommend resources to help manage my kids’ bleeding disorder while we’re on the go? Sincerely, Summer Savvy Dear Summer, With Memorial Day marking the unofficial start of summer, this is a timely […]
Dear Addy, How do I approach my doctor with questions on new research about a treatment for my bleeding disorder? There are so many novel treatments under development or newly available! I want to make sure that my doctor considers my input and will work with me to select the treatment that best serves my […]
Dear Addy, I recently participated in a state legislative day and there was a lot of discussion about committees. It’s been years since I took a civics class and I don’t remember much about committees. Could you explain what they are and why they’re important to our advocacy efforts? Signed, Curious About Committees Dear Curious, […]
Every year at Symposium, there is some special moment that defines that year’s event for me. As we kick off our 2018 event tomorrow, I’m reflecting back on my favorite memories from the last five years of Symposium: 2013: Frisco, TX (I actually have two favorite memories from this year.)  This picture encapsulates our […]
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