The Bleeding Times- Spring 2017

LETTER FROM OUR ED
LETTER FROM ED/CHAPTER UPDATE
Dear Readers,
I am thrilled to be writing this letter to you in the first edition of our new chapter magazine. This
publication is designed to help you better connect with our local bleeding disorders community. Inside
you will find highlights from past chapter events, upcoming activities, profiles from our community, health
tips, and stories from people just like you. This magazine is made by the community, for the community,
and this is just the start.
It was March 29th, one year ago, when I walked in on my first day as the Executive Director of the chapter,
and now looking back, I am truly amazed at all the incredible things we have accomplished together:
/ Launching our first VWD retreat
/ Launching our first volunteer engagement workshop
/ Hiring a new Communications and Events Manager
/ Setting two fundraising records at the Walk and the Gala
/ Launching a new monthly e-newsletter
/ Hosting our first bilingual Back to School Event
/ Awarding five families with grants to attend the NHF Annual Meeting
/ Launching a new series of programs for teens
/ …and today we are launching this exciting new magazine
None of this could be possible without our dedicated chapter staff and the inspiring set of passionate
volunteers we have working tirelessly on these efforts. Our community has a long history of working
together to accomplish amazing things. That is why, even with major healthcare policy changes looming
as threats, I know that we will prevail, together.
If you are reading this letter and haven’t yet connected to the chapter, then there is one piece of advice
I can give—get involved! Get involved by attending chapter events. Get involved by joining a committee.
Get involved by letting us know what type of stories you want in this magazine. Get involved by signing up
to be a volunteer. Get involved by starting a walk team. Get involved by writing articles. Get involved with
our state advocacy work. Get involved by simply calling and introducing yourself.
This is your chapter and your magazine, and together we have incredible things ahead of us.
Sincerely,
LETTER FROM
OUR BOARD
PRESIDENT
Aloha!
These long winter days are making me wish for sun and warm
weather which is why I’m greeting you in the Hawaiian spirit.
I’ll never forget one of my best friends in college who was
from Honolulu and wise beyond her years. She taught me
many important life lessons. Along with showing me how to
really chill out and make surprisingly delicious spam musubi,
she taught me about “ohana,” a term used to describe love
within families and communities beyond just blood relations.
Those of us affected by bleeding disorders have learned to
value, and even depend upon, the support we gain from our
communities. That support is more important than ever in
these challenging times.
At the New York City Hemophilia Chapter, our core mission and the basis for our existence is, and has always
been, to foster community. We are constantly challenging ourselves to find new and impactful ways to support
our members. I’m so proud of the progress we’ve been making in many areas, including communications. As
such, we’ve taken the bold leap to publish a new magazine, The Bleeding Times, that starts with our immediate
community but should reach well beyond it. We hope it will serve as an extension of NYCHC, providing useful
information and guidance, and perhaps even some entertainment and inspiration from time to time.
As you’ll see, our inaugural issue is chock full of great content and focuses on a topic near and dear to my heart—
girls and women with bleeding disorders. Additionally, it covers a wide variety of issues critical to our community,
including being a new hemo mom, learning to infuse, attending camp, prepping for college, and much more.
Please enjoy it and reach out to us with your feedback and ideas for future editions. We look forward to hearing
from you. Until then, stay warm and be well.
Mahalo,
Wendy Chou
President
NYCHC
Jeremy Griffin
Executive Director
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