The National Bleeding Disorders Foundation’s (NBDF’s) 78th Annual Bleeding Disorders Conference (BDC) will take place Aug. 13-15, 2026, at the Orlando World Center Marriott in Florida.
Attendees can take part in three days of educational sessions, workshops, industry symposia, and networking and social events with focus areas including parents/caregivers, teens/young adults, and ultra-rare bleeding disorders.
Here’s a sampling of the sessions you can look forward to:
To HTC or Not HTC: Is It Really a Question?
Many people know the immediate benefits of care from hemophilia treatment centers (HTCs), but how does HTC care stack up over time for important bleeding disorders outcomes? In this panel discussion, you’ll hear patient, provider, and researcher perspectives on the benefits of HTC care for people with bleeding disorders. (Aug. 14, 9 to 10:30 a.m.)
Advancements in Treatment
Discover the latest breakthroughs that are reshaping care, from pioneering rebalancing agents to revolutionary clinical developments. Mark Reding, M.D., director of the Center for Bleeding and Clotting Disorders and professor of medicine at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, will explain the most recent findings from key clinical trials and share insights on the changing landscape of bleeding disorders treatments. (Aug. 14, 10:45 to 11:45 a.m.)
Confident Decision-Making: Practical Tools for Treatment and Beyond
In this hands-on workshop, you’ll learn a structured approach to making treatment and health care decisions with less stress and more clarity. The workshop will explain how to break complex choices into manageable parts and move forward confidently, even when the answers aren’t clear-cut. (Aug. 14, 2:45 to 3:45 p.m. or 4 to 5 p.m.)
How Insurance Really Works: A Hands-On Guide
Learn how insurance really works for bleeding disorders. This session will cover plan basics, hidden cost drivers, and common barriers, plus practical tips to help you navigate coverage, avoid surprises, and advocate for treatment access. (Aug. 14, 4 to 5 p.m.)
Finally Diagnosed. Now What?
This session explores the unique challenges that women with bleeding disorders face when they are diagnosed later in life. Participants will learn practical information on how to navigate obstacles, including overcoming barriers and expectations from health care providers and the community. (Aug. 15, 9:45 to 10:15 a.m.)
Story Circles: Black/African Americans, Pride, and AAPI Communities
The bleeding disorders community is most vibrant when every voice is heard. This informal interactive storytelling session provides an opportunity to discuss the intersections of different identities that people may have living with a bleeding disorder. Each story circle will offer a safe space for sharing for the following identities: Black/African American, LGBTQIA+, Asian American, and Pacific Islander. The session aims to help build stronger, more connected communities through sharing individual stories and experiences that are familiar across cultures and identities. (Aug. 15, 10:30 a.m. to noon)
Debate: Bubble Wrap or Break Free? Rethinking Physical Activity
While safety precautions and bleed prevention in sports and exercise have long been key principles for people with bleeding disorders, new treatment options may be changing the limitations and how people feel about physical activity. In this debate-style session, two trusted community leaders will take opposite sides on a question that shows up all the time: Should we promote participation in sports and exercise and all its physical and mental health benefits, or limit activity as a means to put safety first? This session isn’t about finding a winner. It’s about hearing two strong perspectives, naming the gray areas, and giving you practical ways to think through your own decisions. (Aug. 15, 1:30 to 2 p.m.)
You can view the entire program and register for the conference here.