The Bleeding Disorder Foundation of Washington

Educate those living with bleeding disorders and how to manage their complicated healthcare condition of bleeding disorder. Bleeding disorders are lifelong conditions that require education at each stage of life. With advancements in science the BDFW has had to revamp and update all our educate material to meet the needs of the community. This is creating education for each subset of age and gender while making sure it is culturally and socioeconomically appropriate. Due to the cost of bleeding disorders this education also includes how to manage our health care and insurance navigation. With medication for severe hemophilia costing $1 million per year the need for understanding health insurance is critical to accessing the lifesaving medication and care. This program directly serves over 500 direct in-person education encounters and provides online education to be accessed by over $70,000 living with bleeding disorder in Washington State.

Patient assistance has been a growing area of support provided by the BDFW to serve those living with bleeding disorders directly. These direct services programs were expanded during COVID but have been maintained since due to the need. These services provide medical ID bracelets to over 250 children per year, back-to-school supplies, winter clothes, and shoes for safe play to reduce bleeding episodes. These services also include gap food support, transportation to medical visits pertaining to their bleeding disorder, lodging for doctor visits and hospital stays, and supportive devices not covered by insurance. Bleeding disorders have a large percentage of patients on Medicaid and Medicare due to the cost of the care creating decades of institutional poverty. Direct patient assistance is critical for patients to manage their condition.