Horizons in Hemophilia, October 2013

HoG Awards 36 Scholarships to Deserving Students

By Amy Bretherton, Director of Marketing & Communications
Congratulations to the thirty-six students who received John Youtsey Memorial Scholarships from Hemophilia of Georgia for the 2013-2014 academic-year. HoG provides financial assistance through this program to clients who are motivated and talented but lack sufficient resources to pursue their academic goals.

New Factor IX Product: RIXUBIS Available in October
By Leigh Carpenter, RPh, Director of Pharmacy
Baxter has announced RIXUBIS, the first new recombinant factor IX approved for hemophilia B in more than 15 years, has been approved by the FDA.

What is Bullying? Camp Wannaklot Teens Take on the Question By Cathy Hulbert, LCSW, HoG Social Worker  Bullying might be a growing problem in our culture, but teens involved with Hemophilia of Georgia are taking steps to grow something really good to take its place. Together with HoG staff, they have created a big paper tree that has “leaves of kindness.”

Buying Health Insurance? There's a Marketplace for That
By Michelle Putnam, Associate Director of Research and Advocacy
What if buying and comparing health insurance policies were more like buying and comparing plane tickets? Imagine if we had an online health marketplace that would allow you to compare plans and buy coverage. Well, guess what? We do!

Introducing the Junior Board of Directors
By Deniece Chevannes, Health Educator
It was about a year ago that the idea to have a Junior Board of Directors at HoG grew at a strategic planning meeting. That idea is now in full bloom with the first group of amazing, dedicated and talented HoG Junior Board of Directors. 

Junior Board of Directors Spotlight: Get to Know Us !
By Brittany Nalley, Public Relations Chair, HoG Junior Board of Directors
Hi we are the members of the Junior Board of Directors of HoG. It is truly an honor to volunteer with HoG and work with people in the bleeding disorder community.  

31^st Annual Hit ‘Em for Hemophilia Golf Tournament
By Kirstin Downie, Director of Development
On October 29, Hemophilia of Georgia will host the 31st annual Hit ‘Em for Hemophilia Golf Tournament at The Manor Golf and Country Club and Alpharetta Athletic Club in Alpharetta. We are pleased once again to have the Atlanta Braves players, alumni, managers and coaches participate in this special event to raise money to find a cure for hemophilia.

First Ever Patient Needs Survey Launched ​By Karen Droze, Regional Coordinator  The National Hemophilia Program Coordinating Center (NHPCC) launched the first-ever national hemophilia program patient needs survey. Patient feedback is needed to help set national priorities to advance care. The NHPCC is working with over 130 Hemophilia Treatment Centers (HTC) across the U.S., and the HTC regional leadership, to gather patient perspectives to help establish national priorities for quality improvement and program evaluation.

New Client Video
By Karen Clark, RN, Outreach Nurse
Hemophilia of Georgia has recently created a new client video that we hope will be very helpful and useful for our newly diagnosed clients, clients who are new to HoG, and existing clients. This video was created for families and individuals who have been diagnosed that we hope will be very helpful and useful for our newly diagnosed clients, clients who are new to HoG, and existing clients.

Dear HoG:  New Medication Packing Procedures
Dear HoG:  I noticed a change in how my medication was packed. There was a corrugated box liner in between the layers of ice packs. Why are you doing this?
     --Curious

Dear Curious: This change will help keep the ice packs at a more consistent temperature in shipping. We will continue to put the ice packs in plastic bags to cut down on moisture and leaks that might occur.

MASAC Issues Updated Recommendations
Submitted by the National Hemophilia Foundation
The National Hemophilia Foundation’s (NHF) Medical and Scientific Advisory Council (MASAC) recently issued the following updated document, which was adopted by NHF’s Board of Directors on June 13, 2013.

View the clinic schedules for the Georgia Hemophilia Treatment Centers.