At the Opening Session of the National Hemophilia Foundations’s (NHF's) 62nd Annual Meeting in New Orleans on November 11, 2010, NHF CEO Val Bias declared, “Our children, the next generation, will be better off, will have better care, will have better access, will have better treatment products, because we are going to work together to get that future.”
The theme of this year’s Annual Meeting was “Marching Forward,” and NHF strove to provide the education, support and strategies to ensure that the community can march toward that future together. Gathered at the meeting were nearly 2,400 people--individuals with bleeding disorders, their family members, healthcare providers and industry representatives.
The three days were packed with sessions on topics ranging from introductions to hemophilia and von Willebrand disease for the parents of newly diagnosed children to aging with hemophilia. Other sessions focused on dental care, joint bleeds, inhibitors, intimacy issues and what the new healthcare bill means for the bleeding disorders community.
In the Exhibit Hall area, more than 50 pharmaceutical, homecare and specialty pharmacies had representatives on hand to explain their products, services and programs. Education was mixed with fun as exhibitors offered carnival games and the opportunity to record testimonials and make music videos.
The Activity Program for Kids & Teens hosted two field trips, letting kids get acquainted with marine life at the Audubon Aquarium and exotic animals from around the world at the Audubon Zoo. The Final Night event, sponsored by Baxter, brought everyone together to enjoy an evening tasting New Orleans cuisine, dancing to live music and exploring the creative and colorful Mardi Gras parade floats at Mardi Gras World.
Join us in 2011 for NHF’s 63rd Annual Meeting in Chicago to find “Inspiration in the Windy City,” November 10–12.