LAS VEGAS – Thanks to the outstanding support of hundreds of people affected by bleeding disorders, their families and their friends, the UNITE for Bleeding Disorders Walks in Las Vegas and Reno raised a combined $64,000!
All funds raised by walkers, runners and participants, benefit the Nevada Chapter of the National Hemophilia Foundation and ensure the children and families in Nevada who live with bleeding disorders have access to vital support services, educational programs and emergency financial assistance they may need.
“The walks are our largest fundraising events each year, and every year they keep getting bigger and better,” said Betsy VanDeusen, executive director of the Nevada Chapter of the National Hemophilia Foundation. “We cannot thank the walkers and runners enough for their support in helping ensure the people in Nevada who live with bleeding disorders every day, receive the attention and medical supplies that they desperately need,” she said.
People with bleeding disorders lack a protein that allows their blood to clot normally. Hemophilia and von Willebrand disease are the two most widely recognized bleeding disorders.
In 2017, the Nevada Chapter of the National Hemophilia Foundation was able to provide education and support to more than 700 households affected by bleeding disorders in the state. The funding included $27,000 in emergency financial assistance, more than 20 educational events, as well as ongoing advocacy work for affordable care at the federal and state level, all of which were funded in part by Walk donations.
Walk proceeds also helped send children with bleeding disorders and their siblings to a medically supervised summer camp known as Camp Independent Firefly. The weeklong recreation opportunity allows kids with bleeding disorders to attend and participate in outdoor activities while having medical personnel nearby in case they are needed.
This year’s top fundraising teams include:
Reno
Top Individual – Amanda Bradhurst, $735
Top Team & Top Corporate Team: Team Genentech, $995
Top Youth Fundraiser: Jacey Gonzalez, $70
Las Vegas
Top Individual and Top Youth Fundraiser – Aliyah Christmas, $2,350
Top Team – Team Nightwing, $7,958
Top Corporate Team – Team Briova, $5,261
About the Nevada Chapter of the National Hemophilia Foundation
The mission of the Nevada Chapter of the National Hemophilia Foundation is to improve the quality of care and quality of life for people with hemophilia, von Willebrand Disease and other inherited bleeding disorders. Founded in 1990 as the nonprofit Hemophilia Foundation of Nevada, the chapter merged with the National Hemophilia Foundation in 2011. It is the only educational, advocacy and support organization working on behalf of Nevada’s inherited bleeding disorder community. Services provided by the chapter include emergency financial assistance, sponsorship of seminars on issues important to the bleeding disorders community, dissemination of information as well as awareness of the complications of the disease to the general public, media and healthcare providers. In addition, the chapter publishes a newsletter to keep members better informed. Additional information can be found at www.hfnv.org or by calling (702) 564-4368.