Hemophilia Federation of America is a national nonprofit organization that assists, educates and advocates for the bleeding disorders community.
New federal rules, released Aug. 1, roll back limits on short-term health plans. Short-term plans are primarily designed to bridge gaps in coverage that can occur, e.g., when an individual is transitioning between jobs. As such, these plans don’t have to meet Affordable Care Act standards. They can deny coverage and/or can charge higher premiums […]
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 […]
Last week, Alexandra and Catherine had the opportunity to tour Grifols’ plasma collection center in Frederick, Md. Centers like this collect plasma from donors and returns the red blood cells to the donor. The plasma that is collected then undergoes several levels of strict testing and is pooled and parted out to create many different […]
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 […]
Many in our community have questions about a recent Slate magazine article that reported that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is reallocating money from the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program to help defray costs of the U.S. Office of Refugee Resettlement as a result of current immigration policy. The Ryan White Program, named for […]
Healthy living is beneficial for the physical body, but it can also benefit our mental health. Proper wellness, combined with safe and effective exercise are particularly important for individuals living with bleeding disorders. The National Alliance on Mental Illness reminds us that mental health is a vital part of our overall health. Focusing on our […]
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 […]
The field of gene therapy is a hot topic of discussion. With multiple clinical trials ongoing, people with hemophilia are at the forefront of gene therapy research. Has anyone ever asked you about your thoughts and opinions about gene therapy? Here’s your chance to make them known! Hemophilia Federation of America Research is asking people […]
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 […]
The following is a summary of a press release from Catalyst Biosciences by Dr. Robert Sidonio, a trusted medical advisor. Read the full press release here. On June 18, Catalyst Biosciences provided an update of the progress from its Phase ½ trial investigating the use of FIX variant product, called CB 2679d/ISU304, which is a […]
Grifols Biologicals is initiating a voluntary product recall of one lot of Profilnine. Grifols Biologicals has determined there is low risk to the patient associated with this issue; however, Grifols Biologicals is requesting the lot to be returned out of caution. Therapy Plasma Product NDC Number Lot Number Size Packaging Expiration Date 68516-3208-2 A1PBB00072 1000 […]
On June 12,2018, we hosted our 5th Annual Patient Fly-In in Washington, DC alongside an online Virtual Hill Day. . With that in mind, patient representatives asked Senators and Representatives to protect affordable coverage for people with pre-existing conditions, ensure that insurance plans provide meaningful coverage and an appropriate scope of health benefits; protect people against potentially […]
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 […]
The following is an excerpt from a press release from Genentech. Read the entire press release here. Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has accepted the company’s supplemental Biologics License Application and granted Priority Review for HEMLIBRA  for adults and children with hemophilia A without factor VIII […]
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 […]
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 […]
Dear Addy, I’m attending HFA’s Symposium next week and I’d like to gather information about personal and legislative advocacy to bring back to my community. What sessions do you recommend I attend? Signed, Planning Ahead Dear Planner, It’s great to hear you will be attending Symposium in Cleveland! This year, we have expanded our advocacy […]
Some of us love exercise. Some of us (me!) hate it but love it when you’re done. What do you find to be the hardest part of exercising? A lot of times it’s finding the time. As moms we’re pulled in a thousand different directions all throughout the day. Between jobs, kids, and spouses, there is never […]
The importance of physical activity for everyone’s health, particularly those of us with bleeding disorders, cannot be overstated. Exercise builds lean muscle mass, manages our body weight and improves our heart and lung efficiency. Participating in a variety of physical activities from weight bearing exercises to cardio training is important as each one offers different […]
Dear Addy, How can I maintain relationships with my legislators after participating in an advocacy day? Signed, Building for the Future Dear Builder, It’s great to hear you are thinking ahead to what’s next! Building relationships with your legislators is an important advocacy strategy and there’s a lot you can do from home and throughout […]
When Scarlett was diagnosed with platelet storage pool disorder in 2011 the doctors told me she wouldn’t be able to play most sports. As she went from toddlerhood to adolescence the restrictions seemed endless and it felt like she was never going to find any after school activities that she would enjoy. It was obvious […]
HFA was informed by Genentech on March 26, 2018, that a total of five patient deaths have occurred while the patients were using Hemlibra (emicizumab-kxwh). Genentech has little information that they can presently share about the circumstances surrounding the most recent patient deaths; however, Genentech could confirm that the patients had received Hemlibra as part of compassionate use and expanded patient access. Genentech has a Medical Communications line at 1(800)-821-8590 for patients, concerned community members, and healthcare providers who seek further information. […]
Dear Addy, I’ve heard writing an op-ed for my local newspaper is a good way to spread awareness about bleeding disorders. I’d like to submit a piece during Bleeding Disorders Awareness Month. Can you offer tips for submitting my story? Signed, Ready-to-Write Dear Writer, Writing an op-ed or opinion piece is a great way to […]
[Reposted from January 16, 2018] In the past few weeks, we have received many inquiries regarding the scope of the injunction Shire is seeking in its lawsuit against Genentech/Roche. Certain information has become public during this period that enables NHF and HFA to provide some limited guidance as to the scope of the injunction that […]
My family has very quiet about our family history with hemophilia. I was 2 years old when my grandfather passed away, so I knew very little about what he went through or what it meant to be a carrier, other than the result could be having a son with hemophilia. I was excited when we […]
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