This year’s Educational Symposium allowed members, member organizations and the hemophilia community at large to come together to get “Our Ducks in a Row”. The over 500 attendees of the Hemophilia Federation of America’s 14th Annual Educational Symposium met in Little Rock, AR May 1st - 3rd to organize and define objectives for the 2008/2009 operating year and to help each other navigate barriers ranging from insurance to employment.

With over 30 exhibitors, information and access to health care providers allowed guests to have their questions answered on a one-on-one basis. The presentation offerings were wide and diverse. Each session and its presenters shared particular expertise on a variety of topics and issues affecting the hemophilia community, from health care delivery to insurance and payments, as well as pain therapy and emergency room care.

The HFA Blood Brotherhood program took center stage as over 40 Blood Brothers, many of whom were first-time symposium guests, met to train and initiate the HFA Blood Brotherhood program in six pilot sites all over the country.

Little Rock provided a great backdrop for the families of the HFA to enjoy the mild, if often stormy, weather of middle America. The Peabody Hotel hosted the HFA and our guests, and provided an always exciting march of the ducks twice daily. From the scenery of the location on the river to the ability to walk to a number of “Flying” restaurants, Little Rock offered symposium attendees plenty of entertainment including a closing event at the Museum of Discovery.

In addition to the children’s programming in Little Rock, the HFA teens traveled to Perryville, Arkansas to the Heifer Ranch for the first overnight camp in HFA history.

The HFA Board met on April 30 to make some important decisions about the future of HFA, as well as elect a new slate of Board officers. Important programmatic and administrative issues were decided and the future of HFA is bright thanks to the progress made in this meeting!

We would be remiss in reflecting on the 2008 Symposium without thanking the generous sponsors of our sessions and the volunteers and staff who made the event happen!