The National Bleeding Disorders Foundation’s (NBDF) annual Bleeding Disorders Conference (BDC) is an event where all members of the bleeding disorders community — including affected individuals and their family members, physicians, nurses, social workers, physical therapists, researchers, and industry partners — can come together to share insights, learn more about new treatments, and see in person how the foundation champions advocacy and research.
The 77th annual conference will take place Aug. 21-23, 2025, at the Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center in Aurora, Colorado.
While some people will be attending their first BDC this year, many others have been coming to the conference regularly for a while. We asked a group of longtime attendees to share some of their favorite memories of past BDCs and what keeps them coming back year after year.
Learn more about NBDF’s Bleeding Disorders Conference and register to attend.
Randy Curtis
Board President, Hemophilia Foundation of Northern California
When was your first BDC? 1985 in Houston.
How many BDCs have you attended? Over the past 40 years, I don’t think I’ve missed more than one or two conferences.
What are some of your favorite memories of previous BDC conferences?
- I remember Val Bias’ first BDC after he took over as CEO. There was such love for him because he was one of us. He announced that he was changing the way the chapters were organized by raising money at the national level and sending it back to the chapters for capacity building. That enabled the chapters to hire staff and become more professional. For me, that speech at BDC was a real aha moment for the organization.
- I have so many memories of gathering with others in the community and people sharing all kinds of helpful information. Sometimes it was about new products that were coming out, or about Medicare and how that works, or maybe somebody’s son was diagnosed with an inhibitor and wanted to make sure he was getting the right treatment. Sharing connections and helping people navigate their way has been such a meaningful part of BDC for me.
What keeps you coming back to BDC year after year?
Even though I’ve been coming to BDC for several decades, I’m always surprised about the new information I learn that can benefit my chapter. Every time I go, I find myself sitting in on at least one session where I take notes and then figure out how I can do something similar or impact my community in Northern California.
Why should someone new to the bleeding disorders community attend BDC?
At BDC you have access to experts from all over the country and you’ll learn so much that can help you navigate your disorder or your child’s disorder. Whether it be at the sessions, where you can go up to the speakers afterward to ask questions, or in the vendor hall, where you have the chance to talk to the different companies and hear about their products, you can learn so much in a short amount of time.
Ellen Kachalsky, LMSW, ACSW
Social Worker/Case Manager, Henry Ford Hospital Hemophilia and Thrombosis Treatment Center, Detroit
When was your first BDC? 1999 in Dallas.
How many BDCs have you attended? I’ve attended every meeting since then.
What are some of your favorite memories of previous BDC conferences?
- Catching a few minutes in person with clients who have moved but told me they now understood what we were trying to teach them. Also catching up with colleagues from other HTCs and organizations who we haven’t seen in a while, and having time to brain-storm ideas together, etc.
- Going to dinner after long days of nonstop meetings. The old final night events, like Lion King at Disney World and Mardi Gras World in New Orleans. Also, being able to take some “goodies” back to give to patients.
- Getting out with a group of colleagues after meetings to check out the city or shop at some of the sights.
What keeps you coming back to BDC year after year?
I love hearing from and getting support from colleagues who understand the roles of us social workers, and to hear about unique programming and strategies to help patients.
Why should someone new to the bleeding disorders community attend BDC?
Coming to BDC is a great way to meet and network as well as share ideas and resources. Then people can reach out to anyone for future questions and concerns.
Ray Stanhope
President, Lone Star Bleeding Disorders Foundation
When was your first BDC? 1992.
How many BDCs have you attended? Somewhere between 10 and 12 meetings.
What are some of your favorite memories of previous BDC conferences?
- Receiving the Robert Lee Henry Volunteer of the Year Award in 1995 and the first-ever Loras Goedken Outstanding Leadership Award in 1997. Both awards were completely unexpected.
- Meeting with other members of our community and discussing our lives and challenges and celebrating achievements and life events in person always filled up my emotional and spiritual tank for another year.
What keeps you coming back to BDC year after year?
Making those personal connections, being in the presence of others dealing with many of the same issues, and learning from each other. I also really enjoy hearing the current state of the science and treatment from MASAC (Medical and Scientific Advisory Council) meeting.
Why should someone new to the bleeding disorders community attend BDC?
BDC is a great source of information, inspiration, and connections to the wider bleeding disorders community and the challenges facing the community as a whole.
Dave Rushlow, LMSW
Social Worker, Northern Regional BleedingDisorderCenter, Traverse City, Michigan
When was your first BDC? 1997.
How many BDCs have you attended? 20.
What are some of your favorite memories of previous BDC conferences?
- The announcement of gene therapy in the early 2000s felt like I was witnessing history in the making, a moment of both hope and anticipation. I feel privileged to see how far the journey has come, and to be part of the progress, especially with one of our consumers at our HTC. It’s incredibly fulfilling.
- A few of the award lunches stand out, as it was exciting to see colleagues be honored for their work, and a few of the closing night events were memorable as you were able to join in the fun with your colleagues.
What keeps you coming back to BDC year after year?
It’s a unique opportunity to connect with like-minded professionals, dive into the latest advancements, and recharge your passion for your work. The networking with other social workers, the educational sessions, learning about new therapies, and being with others who “get it” makes for a stimulating and rewarding environment. The meeting is something I like to re capture every year, and it keeps me invigorated until I can attend the next one.
Why should someone new to the bleeding disorders community attend BDC?
Attending BDC offers incredible value, particularly for someone new to the community. It’s not just an event; it’s a gateway to building meaningful relationships, staying informed about vital topics, and feeling truly connected to the bleeding disorders community. With NBDF fostering camaraderie, networking, and friendships, attendees gain so much more than knowledge — they gain a sense of belonging.
Patrick James Lynch
CEO, Believe Limited and Founder, BloodStream Media
When was your first BDC? 2010 in Chicago.
How many BDCs have you attended? 15 consecutive.
What are some of your favorite memories of previous BDC conferences?
- 2017 screening of the Bombardier Blood documentary.
- 2020 execution of the Teen Impact Awards.
- 2024 opening session featuring the Poster Child documentary trailer.
What keeps you coming back to BDC year after year?
I come back to BDC to meet other people with bleeding disorders, to hear directly from scientists and doctors about treatment and trial updates, and to learn about advocacy and leadership opportunities from those driving change.
Why should someone new to the bleeding disorders community attend BDC?
Chances are, someone else has faced something similar to what you’re facing — whatever that may be. Coming to BDC is the chance to make those connections and to learn directly from people shaping the future of our care.
Mary Jane “Missy” Frey, RN-BC, BSN, CPN
Former HTC Nurse; Nurse Educator for CVS Health Midwest Hemophilia
When was your first BDC? 2004.
How many BDCs have you attended? 18 or 19.
What are some of your favorite memories of previous BDC conferences?
- At one Nursing Luncheon,, a colleague from an HTC in my state was doing a talk on the history of hemophilia. He had a picture of a young patient who died of AIDS at 15 years old and was blanking on his name. This patient had been at our center, so I told him. He and I both got choked up when we saw his picture because it invoked so many memories. His mother, also an HTC nurse now in another state, came up to the two of us after, laughing, and said, “You two are in worse shape than me, and it’s my son!”
- I spoke at several BDC conferences and had research posters at most of them. Once I broke my ankle the afternoon before my flight to the meeting in D.C. but got on the flight and made it to the “conference so I could present my poster — on crutches. There are priorities!
What keeps you coming back to BDC year after year?
Attending BDC gave me an opportunity to network with patients, colleagues, health care professionals, and pharmaceutical representatives while gaining knowledge on care, treatments, and new innovations that would assist my patients to improve their quality of life. As the push to include women and their issues developed, I was excited to learn ways to assist these women in their struggles with bleeding issues.
I have cared for grandfathers, met the daughters, and cared for their sons, and always said that when I meet the fourth generation it will be time to retire. I now know four great-grandchildren, and I’m still active in the community!
Why should someone new to the bleeding disorders community attend BDC?
I have seen when there was no factor available, infected products, primary prophylaxis, recombinant factor, extended half-life products, subcutaneous medications, and gene therapy. That is quite a history in this community, and many new members to the community may or may not have a family history and know some of it. I think it is important that new members know how far this group of innovative patients, health care professionals, and manufacturers have gone to keep improving patient quality of life and outcomes in the bleeding disorders community.