Winter 2008 | NHF in Orlando / Ed Sotherden

The National Hemophilia Foundation hosted their 59th Annual Meeting in Orlando, Florida from November 1st through the 3rd. The meeting was held at the Marriott World Center, a beautiful conference center and hotel - it is Marriott’s largest facility in the world. According to the NHF website, there was a record-breaking turnout of nearly 3000 people!

The Matrix team certainly did its part in supplying attendees. Nearly all the Regional Care Coordinators were present along with representatives from management and reimbursement. The Matrix team was thrilled to see each other as we came from as far as Portland, Oregon and as close as Orlando, Florida. It was also an amazing opportunity for us to see familiar faces from many of the chapters, treatment centers, and camps. We all were very excited to network and socialize within the hemophilia community.

Education is an integral part of the Annual Meetings. The NHF offers a wide variety of sessions for doctors, nurses, physical therapists, social workers, caregivers, and the patients themselves. Patients had the opportunity to learn more about insurance, communicating with a chronic condition, HIV, HCV, vWD, gene therapy, and many other worthwhile, educational, and enlightening topics.

Various manufacturers sponsored informational breakfast meetings each morning. Attendees could grab a bite to eat while learning about one of several topic choices.

Those with children were also able to associate with others while their children were in the capable hands of NHF volunteers. The kids were entertained with activities and outings, including Seaworld® and an exciting trip to a Gatorland®, a 110-acre theme park and nature conservatory also known as the Alligator Capital of the World.

Through the generous support of CSL Behring, conference attendees had the awesome opportunity to enjoy an evening at Seaworld®. The final night event was Baxter’s night with the fun being held at Universal Studios Islands of Adventure®! After enjoying a spectacular live show, The Eighth Voyage of Sinbad, guests enjoyed a variety of dinner options and the chance to take a thrilling ride on the Jurassic Park River Adventure®, along with several other entertainment choices.

The Matrix Team particularly liked spending time in the Exhibit Hall. Even when we were not on “duty,” many of us spent time hanging out and chatting with many visitors from all over the country. The exhibit hall is a great place, not only to get information on many of the companies in the industry, but also to mingle with others in our community.

The 59th Annual Meeting was a great time for the bleeding disorder community to come together, educate, and support each other. The sessions were informative, the exhibit hall was exciting, and the entertainment after business hours was very enjoyable! If you haven’t attended an NHF Annual Meeting, you don’t know what you’re missing! We are all looking forward to the 60th Annual Meeting next year in Denver, Colorado, which will take place November 13 - 15, 2008. Hope to see you there!