Bleeding Disorders Awareness Month features education, advocacy
NBDF, HFA among groups providing resources and sponsoring events
March is Bleeding Disorders Awareness Month (BDAM), and patients, caregivers, advocates, and supporters are working together to call attention to and provide resources for coping with the bleeding disorders estimated to affect more than 3 million people in the U.S.
Bleeding disorders such as hemophilia, von Willebrand disease, and rare clotting factor deficiencies are marked by the body’s inability to form blood clots. This can lead to uncontrolled bleeding and serious health consequences for those affected.
Since 2016, BDAM has been recognized as an opportunity for all members of the bleeding disorders community to educate, advocate, fundraise, and bring attention to the struggles and needs of those affected by bleeding disorders.
The National Bleeding Disorders Foundation (NBDF), formerly known as the National Hemophilia Foundation, is leading the efforts.
“Bleeding Disorders Awareness Month 2025 marks a pivotal moment in the National Bleeding Disorders Foundation (NBDF) mission — not just to educate, but to transform,” Phil Gattone, president and CEO of the foundation, said in an email to Hemophilia News Today. “This March, we’re amplifying the voices that often go unheard and connecting those who may feel isolated in their journey. Through our expanded digital toolkit, information resource center, expert, and educational resources, we’re equipping every community member and their families to become a powerful advocate.”
Letter templates, Washington Days
“The challenges faced by those with hemophilia, von Willebrand disease, and rare factor disorders deserve more than just recognition — they demand action,” Gattone said. “By weaving together the threads of lived experience with cutting-edge research and compassionate care, we’re creating a global tapestry of support that extends far beyond a single month. This year, we don’t just raise awareness — we ignite understanding that will illuminate paths toward better treatment, greater access, and ultimately, lives unburdened by the limitations these disorders can impose.”
NBDF has a BDAM website showcasing opportunities for participation during the month and providing a link for email updates about news and events. The foundation also has templates for letters encouraging family and friends to take part in the initiatives and for asking government officials to acknowledge BDAM.
March 5-7 are NBDF Washington Days, which provide an opportunity for people affected by inherited blood disorders to meet with legislators and advocate for issues that are important to them. Topics for discussion this year include the Help Ensure Lower Patient Copays Act, protecting access to Medicaid, education on federal hemophilia programs, and issues faced by women and girls with bleeding disorders.
For those interested in raising awareness and funds by being physically active, the NYC United Airlines Half Marathon begins March 16 at 7 a.m. ET in Brooklyn. The 13.1-mile course takes runners across the Manhattan Bridge and along FDR Drive. Runners will run through Times Square before finishing the race in Central Park.
Additional marathons are scheduled for later in the year. There will be one in Denver May 16-18, another in San Francisco July 26-27, and a second race in New York Nov. 2.
The foundation is encouraging supporters to register for the 77th Annual Bleeding Disorders Conference, which will take place Aug. 21-23 at the Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center in Aurora, Colorado. Patients, families, and healthcare professionals will come together for three days of educational sessions, networking opportunities, and an exhibit hall featuring advancements in research and patient care.
The NBDF will honor individuals and organizations who made substantial impacts on the bleeding disorders community with its Awards of Excellence. The deadline for nominations is April 18, 11:59 p.m. EST. Winners will be notified in July, and the awards ceremony will be held in person on the last day of the conference.
HFA offers apparel, graphics
Raising awareness, advocacy and support is the theme for the Hemophilia Federation of America’s efforts this month.
“We are excited to launch our exclusive Bleeding Disorders Awareness Month apparel, featuring four bold and empowering designs that help amplify awareness and demonstrate unwavering support for the bleeding disorders community,” the organization says on its website. All purchase proceeds will go to HFA’s Helping Hands program, which provides financial assistance to community members in need.
Community members are encouraged to wear red, the official color of BDAM, and encourage others to do the same to spread awareness and start conversations around bleeding disorders.
To help spread awareness online, HFA offers downloadable graphics in English and Spanish to share on social media. Supporters are encouraged to include the hashtags #BleedingDisordersAwarenessMonth, #bleedingdisorders, and #HFA with their posts.
HFA’s major in-person event this month is its annual symposium, scheduled for March 27-30 in San Diego. The four-day event centers around community, support, and empowerment for individuals and families affected by bleeding disorders. Participants can join interactive sessions and workshops, hear inspirational stories, and learn about the latest innovations in treatment.
“Whether you’re newly diagnosed or have been on this journey for years, the HFA Symposium provides a warm and welcoming space to build lifelong friendships and a network of support that extends far beyond the event,” the organization said.
Local foundations are also holding events. In Georgia, the Score For a Cure golf tournament is scheduled for March 13 at Topgolf Alpharetta and will benefit Hemophilia of Georgia’s Scholarship Fund.
And on March 16 in Richmond, Virginia, the Virginia Hemophilia Foundation (VHF) is celebrating 50 years of support, connection, and progress within the bleeding disorders community with the Honoring Our Past, Building Our Future event at the Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens. Registration is open to the public.
The Bleeding Disorders Association of South Carolina invites the community to Go Red For St. Patrick’s Day on March 17. A dinner that evening in Columbia has the theme of Positive Self Talk, and will explore behavioral insights that may help patients discuss their hemophilia management with their loved ones and healthcare teams.
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