WOW! VHF would like to give a huge shout-out to all of our amazing teams, sponsors, donors and participants for this year’s Unite for Bleeding Disorders Virtual Walk! Together, we raised $33,243 to help those living with inherited bleeding disorders in this community.

VHF is honored to nominate Monika Eiden, Global HR Director, AMF Bakery Systems, as our fourth Volunteer of the Year Nominee! Monika is a community member and active volunteer with the chapter as a committee member and recent BOD member. Monika has been involved with VHF in a leadership role for nine years, and constantly finds new ways to contribute to the success of the organization with a strong focus on the needs of the community.

You can enroll in or change 2022 Marketplace health insurance right now. The 2022 Open Enrollment Period runs from Monday, November 1, 2021 through Saturday, January 15, 2022.

If you don’t act by January 15, 2022, you can’t get 2022 coverage unless you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period. Enroll by December 15, 2021 for coverage that starts January 1, 2022.

CHKD-HTC is so excited to announce that their long-awaited addition to the Bleeding Disorder team has arrived! He comes with a passion for all things bleeding, clotting, and Hampton Roads. Dr. Kevin Todd did his residency at CHKD and just completed his Pediatric Hematology/Oncology fellowship at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. His fellowship training focused on bleeding and clotting disorders and they are very excited to have him on their team! Please welcome him at your next appointment!

WFH is now accepting applications for the Susan Skinner Memorial Fund Scholarship program. Deadline to apply is November 15th.

The Susan Skinner Memorial Fund Scholarship program aims to cultivate leadership and promote engagement of women in the global bleeding disorders community by providing opportunities for education, training and networking. All scholarship recipients receive a complimentary registration for the WFH 2022 World Congress—the largest meeting for the bleeding disorders community—which will take place in Montreal, Canada. This scholarship is open to women aged 18 to 60 years old. Applicants must have a bleeding disorder or be a carrier as well as committed to supporting the work of the WFH or their local chapter.

Read this month's HFA Washington Wire for latest policy and advocacy news for the bleeding disorders community.

Also save the date for HFA’s annual Patient Fly-In and Congressional Reception the week of November 15-19. Grassroots advocates will meet with key Congressional offices to explain why expanded subsidies provided in the American Rescue Act should be made permanent and how copay accumulator adjuster programs harm patients. Mark your calendar and use HFA’s Legislative Action Center to write, call or tweet your Legislators about issues important to the bleeding disorders community!

Date/Time: November 17th at 2 pm

Topic: Navigating Time and Space: Experiences of Aging with Hemophilia

Tam Perry, Ph.D., and Sarah Schwartz, Ph.D., partner with social worker Dana Francis in this presentation that explores the aging process for people with hemophilia.

2-1-1 is an easy to remember phone number connecting people with free information on available community services. When you dial 2-1-1, a trained professional listens to your situation and suggests sources of help using one of the largest databases of health and human services in Virginia.

Date/Time: Saturday, November 13th at 4:00 pm

Location: Zoom

Join constituents, advocacy committee members, and community stakeholders from throughout Virginia for an education meeting that will cover a wide range of advocacy topics relevant to the bleeding disorders community!

Date/Time: Thursday, November 18th at 7:00 pm

Location: Zoom

Join VHF for a highly interactive and engaging evening of virtual community connection and a family-friendly paint night. Painting is a great way to help pass the time and cope with stress so bring your creativity and a willingness to learn and you will paint a fall themed painting you’ll be proud to display in your home!

Date/Time: Saturday, December 4th at 2:00 pm

Location: Zoom

There will be all-ages ornament decorating (ornament kits will be shipped directly to attendees), holiday themed trivia game, special guests from the north pole, and more. Test your holiday and bleeding disorders knowledge in this spirited, interactive event. There will be banter, jests, and endless fun. Laughs are a must! Please join and share in the holiday spirit.