SEPTEMBER IS NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS MONTH |
National Preparedness Month (NPM) is an observance each September to raise awareness about the importance of preparing for disasters and emergencies that could happen at any time. Visit the Ready.gov website to find great resources to help you prepare for and respond to emergencies.
Persons with (or caring for someone with) a bleeding disorder should take proactive steps to be ready for all sorts of circumstances. Below are tools and resources from our website and from national organizations intended to help you plan ahead.
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UNITE FOR BLEEDING DISORDERS WALK |
Date/Time: Sunday, October 17th at 1:00 pm
Location: Robious Landing Park, Shelter 3 - Midlothian, VA
The VHF Unite for Bleeding Disorders Walk is NEXT MONTH and we need your help!
Plan to join us in celebration on October 17th! You will enjoy entertainment from Jonathan the Juggler, our event DJ, and special activities provided by Camp Holiday Trails! As well, we will have sweet treats provided by Krecek Kakes. Plus, a fun walk for all fitness levels in the beautiful fall leaves! Registration is completely free—if you raise or donate $25 on your personal page you will receive an event t-shirt!
SHOUT OUT to our current top teams! You are amazing!
- Team Lukasz
- Marian’s All Stars
- Severe With No Fear!
PLUS register and raise or donate $100 in new donations in September and get entered to win a $50 gift card to Sheetz! Join Us and Start Your Team Today!
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DON SMITH, 2021 VHF VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR NOMINEE |
VHF is honored to recognize Donald Smith (Don), Treasurer on the Board of Directors, as the third nominee for 2021 Volunteer of the Year. Don currently serves on the Executive, Governance, Finance and Development Committees. He says of volunteering -
"I volunteer for VHF to help enhance the lives of others living with bleeding disorders. VHF is an organization that truly takes to heart their mission to improve the lives of those in the bleeding disorders community. The wonderful staff achieve amazing results with the help of dedicated volunteers. Everyone I've met who is involved with or touched by VHF are kind, passionate, and fun people to be around! I am blessed to be associated with them."
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CONGRATULATIONS NURSE OF THE YEAR, MARGY SENNETT |
On August 28th, at the conclusion of an excellent week of virtual programs from the National Hemophilia Foundation (NHF), deserving members of the bleeding disorders community were honored and celebrated during the NHF 2021 Bleeding Disorders Conference Awards Ceremony!
We are thrilled to announce that The Nurse of the Year, chosen by the NHF Nursing Working Group, was our very own Margaret Sennett, PNP, University of Virginia (UVA) Division of Pediatric Hematology & Oncology, Senior Nurse Practitioner and Coordinator of Pediatric Bleeding/Clotting Disorders Program!
As stated by her colleague, Marc Gilgannon PT "She is a great role model for us all as shown by her dedication, skillset and compassion displayed regularly in the clinic. Family and children gain so much from their interactions with her and it is an honor to be part of the UVA HTC team with Margy."
Congratulations Margy!
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CONGRATULATIONS TO VHF TEEN IMPACT AWARD WINNERS! |
The Teen Impact Awards are produced by Believe Limited and for the last six years it's been the top community program to recognize teens in the bleeding disorders community who are making a positive impact in homes, schools and communities.
We are so proud of these two inspirational teens - congratulations Anthony and Elsa!
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POP UP DAY CAMP PROGRAM WITH CAMP HOLIDAY TRAILS (CHT) |
Alexander T. Krecek | Camp Holiday Trails
On August 7th, VHF families joined the CHT Pop-Up Team at Sandy Bottom Nature Park in Hampton for a half-day pop-up camp program! During the event, families had the opportunity to participate in icebreakers and play group games. Families also completed a picture-themed scavenger hunt to get out into nature and explore their surroundings and enjoyed some fan-favorite arts and crafts activities--building our own dreamcatchers and making friendship bracelets. We loved connecting with families again after time apart and we are looking forward to future pop-up events with our CHT Family!
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HEMOPHILIA FEDERATION OF AMERICA (HFA) SYMPOSIUM |
Date: October 18-28, 2021
Location: Online
This beloved family event has become known as a national “family reunion” for the bleeding disorders community, allowing community members, their families and caregivers to come together for camaraderie and education, and the decision to move virtual again in 2021 may be difficult news for community members looking for that personal connection. HFA has formed a mental health task force to continue addressing the concerns of the bleeding disorders community around depression, anxiety and the personal disconnect some may be feeling due to the pandemic.
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NATIONAL HEMOPHILIA FOUNDATION (NHF) STATE OF THE SCIENCE RESEARCH SUMMIT |
Date: September 12-15, 2021
Location: Online
The 2021 NHF State of the Science Research Summit is a free, online gathering that will help inform the National Research Blueprint for Inherited Blood Disorders.
This summit will be a virtual community dialogue that will bring together voices from across our community to address some of the most pressing issues faced by people with these disorders, and to agree on specific and actionable activities that should be guided via a National Research Blueprint, to be published early next year.
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VIRTUAL EDUCATION SESSION: BALANCING EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING |
Date/Time: Thursday, September 16th at 7:00 pm
Location: Zoom
Topic: Balancing Emotional Well-Being
An overview of how our current environment can impact our emotional well-being, what signs and symptoms to look for when you find yourself in a challenging situation or feeling low, and how to encourage dialogue with family, friends, and healthcare providers.
Speaker: Linda Pollhammer | Patient Affairs Liaison – Pfizer
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COMMUNITY RETREAT AT TOPGOLF RICHMOND |
Join YOUR bleeding disorders community for education, lunch, golf instruction, and community building at Topgolf Richmond!
Date/Time: Saturday, September 25th at 10:30 am
Location: Topgolf Richmond
We are pleased to announce that our 2021 Community Retreat will be held in-person. VHF will follow guidelines based on recommendations from the CDC and local and state health departments. With your cooperation, these guidelines will allow us to safely host this event in-person. We will send these guidelines to all registrants closer to the date of the event.
Educational program, scheduled meal, and 2 hours of unlimited golfing provided at no cost for constituents that live in the VHF coverage area. If you are a constituent that lives outside of the VHF coverage area and you are interested in registering for this meeting, please email heather@vahemophilia.org for more information.
Travel Assistance: For constituents that are currently facing a financial hardship and require assistance in order to attend this program please contact Kelly Waters at kelly@vahemophilia.org or 804-740-8643.
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VHF/HACA VIRTUAL ADVOCACY CHAT |
Date/Time: Tuesday, September 28th at 7:00 pm
Location: Zoom
Ever wonder how a bill winds its way from a proposed bill, through both houses of the General Assembly to enacted legislation? Committees are the answer — and where much of the debate about any bill take place. Join us to learn more about the process as we meet with several key committee members that work on issues that affect our community.
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