US supporters urged to ‘Go RED’ this Bleeding Disorders Awareness Month
NBDF, advocacy groups providing resources, education throughout March
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The National Bleeding Disorders Foundation (NBDF) will be leading efforts this March — during Bleeding Disorders Awareness Month, simply called BDAM — to provide resources for educating the public and spreading awareness about conditions marked by excessive bleeding.
NBDF, formerly the National Hemophilia Foundation (NHF), serves people across the U.S. with all bleeding disorders, including Von Willebrand disease, immune thrombocytopenic purpura, and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura. For this year’s awareness month, the foundation will work alongside other advocacy groups based throughout the country.
“Throughout the years, this special month has helped teach others about our conditions, helped people get diagnosed earlier, brought our community closer together, pushed for better research and treatments, and celebrated the amazing strength of everyone living with bleeding disorders,” the NBDF states on its awareness month website.
For St. Patrick’s Day, another notable March date typically marked by people wearing green, supporters of those with bleeding disorders are encouraged by one advocacy group to “Go RED.”
Bleeding disorders result from a lack of proper blood clotting, which can result in symptoms such as excessive bleeding from small cuts or dental work, and easy bruising. About 3 million people nationwide live with bleeding disorders, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.
Focus for awareness month has shifted to all bleeding disorders
For about three decades, the focus of this awareness month was mainly on hemophilia. But in 2016, the month was officially renamed Bleeding Disorders Awareness Month.
“This change was a big deal because it helped everyone feel included, no matter what bleeding disorder they have, their gender, age, or background,” the NBDF website states.
Ways to take action include starting a grassroots advocacy campaign, contacting local government to request a BDAM proclamation, sharing a personal story, and making a donation or organizations such as NBDF.
The foundation provides educational resources to the bleeding disorders community, offering information and support. Answers to frequently asked questions, including types of bleeding disorders, their symptoms, and how common they are, are also available on the awareness website.
NBDF encourages all those affected by bleeding conditions to subscribe to its mailing list for updates on news, treatments, clinical trials, and upcoming events.
Events across the country will mark BDAM
Washington Days, hosted by NBDF on March 4-6 in the nation’s capital, will bring together hundreds of volunteer advocates across the U.S. to join legislators and their staffs to discuss federal funding and better access to care for inherited blood disorders.
For those in or near Colorado interested in physical activities, there is an ice skating event on March 7 at Broadmoor World Arena in Colorado Springs. Participants are encouraged to arrive at 1:30 p.m. local time for snacks and refreshments, and then free skate from 2 to 3:30 p.m.
In Florida, there is a Safari Walk on March 14 at 8 a.m. at Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens. This 16th annual fundraiser will benefit the Bleeding Disorders Foundation of Florida. Registration online is free.
For foodies, the Bleeding Disorders Association of South Carolina (BDASC) is participating in events for Von Willebrand Disease Awareness Day in Greenville on March 1, and the Ultra Rare Bleeding Disorders Awareness Day in Columbia on March 15.
Anyone unable to travel to an event can support the group through its Go RED for St. Patrick’s Day fundraiser. Participants are encouraged to wear red on March 17 to raise awareness of bleeding disorders.
At the end of the month, BDASC is offering a Women Who Bleed Awareness Day Celebration on March 31 at 7 p.m ET on Zoom. This is a virtual educational support group event, sponsored by Novo Nordisk.
