HACA is making a major change to its newsletter in 2025. Instead of the bi-monthly PDF, we are changing to a monthly email newsletter with links to articles on our website. We will still have our weekly Chapter Connection, where you can find links to current and upcoming evens. This newsletter will be distributed toward the end of each month and will contain recaps of chapter events, news from our national organization, industry news and more - similar to what you would find in previous editions of HACA News! 

Fall 2024 was busy! 

It was truly wonderful to see so many happy families at our event at Cox Farms on Saturday, October 5! The day couldn't have been more perfect, with clear blue skies and warm sunshine. The little ones had a blast at the petting zoo and on the slides, while the more adventurous kids and their parents braved the thrilling haunted corn maze. As the day came to a close, everyone had the chance to relax with a scenic hayride and savor some warm apple cider in the country store. 

The annual Fall Festival and Walk took place on Saturday, October 19. This year we returned to Lake Accotink Park and the McLaren-Sargent Pavilion in Springfield and raised almost $50,000. Thanks to all of our walkers, donors and sponsors that have supported the walk for many years. We are taking a break from having the walk in the fall, and will be working on a revamped 5K/Walk for the fall of 2026, so stay tuned! 

Our annual education event for Spanish speakers that we've organized each fall since 2015 expanded in 2024 to include an afternoon of education, evening social event and overnight stay, and breakfast and education for participants. The November 2-3 event took place at the Hilton Fairfax, and included sessions on advocating in the emergency room, insurance basics and practicing gratitude. 

HACA's holiday gathering has been really blowing up the last few years, and we had more than 120 chapter members join us at the Stacy Sherwood Center in Fairfax on Sunday, December 8 - the largest holiday gathering we've ever hosted! The theme for the party was Ugly Sweaters and everyone got the assignment: there were homemade and store-bought sweaters on both kids and adults, and coveted medals were handed out to winners in each category during the Ugly Sweater contest. There was also a fun photo booth, a visit from Mrs. Claus, gifts for the kids, hot chocolate and cookie decorating tables, and a delicious dinner. 

January and February are busy months for state advocacy. HACA and the Virginia Hemophilia Foundation joined forces for Richmond Days January 26-27. The event included a virtual training on January 21, a dinner on the 26th and visits with lawmakers on the 27th. 

About 10 HACA members participated in Richmond Days. The event kicked off on Sunday night with a dinner and discussion about this year's talking points, Prescription Drug Affordability Boards (PDABs) and the Medicaid expansion trigger laws. 

Meetings were scheduled with lawmakers between 9 and 10:30 a.m. at the General Assembly Building. The chapters also reserved a meeting room on the 7th floor so participants had a place to gather and could enjoy a continental breakfast. All delegate and senate offices were invited to stop by, and many staffers popped in throughout the morning for coffee, pastries and fruit. 

We will have weekly advocacy check-ins with Becky Bowers-Lanier, our advocacy expert in Richmond. The calls will take place on Tuesdays, February 4, 11 and 18. You can register here. 

Registration is still ongoing for this summer's Camp Youngblood session at Camp Holiday Trails, July 13-18. 

This weeklong event is designed for kids ages 7–17 with inherited bleeding disorders, their siblings, and children of community members in HACA and VHF's coverage areas. Kids will  enjoy a variety of activities including swimming, horseback riding, zip lining, and campfires, all while making lasting memories in a safe and supportive environment.

The process starts with a pre-screening, so HACA and VHF staff can confirm eligibility; click here to access the form. Once your eligibility has been approved, we will reach out to you with a link to fill out the paperwork on the camp website. Registration ends on April 23 and all paperwork is due to camp by June 6. 

If you have any questions about the process or camp itself, you can reach out to Caitlin Carroll, MSW, Director of Programs at CHT. 

The Hemophilia Association of the Capital Area gratefully acknowledges our donors who have given so generously. Below are donations received from September 1-December 31, 2024. We have made every effort to ensure all donations are listed. 

The National Bleeding Disorders Foundation (NBDF) recently launched the THRIVE campaign, a comprehensive initiative designed to raise awareness and educate community members about 6 key steps to living healthy with a bleeding disorder. This campaign aims to empower individuals and their families, providing them with the knowledge and resources necessary to thrive in their everyday lives.

The THRIVE campaign emphasizes the following 6 key steps:

T – Take advantage of regular care from health care providers focusing on bleeding disorders.

H – Have a conversation with your health care provider about yearly inhibitor testing.  

R – Review the latest treatment options for you. 

I – Identify, treat, and fully heal bleeds. 

V – Value and make time for your emotional and mental health. 

E – Embrace your bleeding disorders community and get involved!

To access more detailed information about each step, click here. This NBDF webpage features additional resources, including THRIVE Questions for Your Health Care Provider and a kids THRIVE Coloring Activity Book.

NBDF is proud to collaborate with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on this campaign, which is fully funded by a $500,000 financial assistance award from CDC/HHS. The project has been developed in close collaboration with patients, parents, and health care providers.

Want to register for a HACA event? You can do that through our weekly Chapter Connection email, or you can go here on the HACA website to check out the calendar of events.