The National Hemophilia Foundation’s (NHF’s) Annual Meeting is the organization’s flagship event. It provides educational sessions for people with bleeding disorders and their families. There are many opportunities to learn about the latest research and treatments, and to ask questions of experts.
However, travel, hotel and registration expenses are sometimes too great for some families. Therefore, NHF is pleased to offer qualifying families Educational Participant Grants. NHF’s Educational Participant Grants are typically awarded to 13–20 families and individuals who have never attended an NHF Annual Meeting. NHF's 63rd Annual Meeting will be held in Chicago, November 10-12, 2011.
The grant may be used to cover the cost of airfare or ground transportation, accommodations for up to three nights and four days, and registration fees for up to four family members. Parents can enroll their children in the Babycare/Activity Program for Kids & Teens, so their children can enjoy field trips and bond with their peers. Parents attend sessions, meet other parents and gather information from vendors inside and outside the Exhibit Hall.
To apply for an Educational Participant Grant, go to hemophilia.org to download the application (available in English and Spanish). Applicants must state their need for the grant and the areas in which the family needs assistance. They must include a 250-word essay explaining why they want to attend an NHF Annual Meeting and how they will share the information they receive with their community.
“We weren’t expecting to learn all that we did or meet so many new people who are going through some of the same things my family goes through on a daily basis,” says ShaLinda R. Creer, North Las Vegas, Nevada. Creer received a grant for her family to attend NHF’s 62nd Annual Meeting in New Orleans in November 2010. “If we hadn’t received the grant, we would have truly missed out.”