Each year, the National Hemophilia Foundation honors the best of the best with the Awards of Excellence. These remarkable individuals and chapters remind us all of the generosity of the human spirit, the power in serving others, and the joy of living with intention and purpose. Congratulations to the winners!
Last March, Hemophilia Foundation of Michigan created educational programming and innovative social media campaigns, and spearheaded outstanding political advocacy on behalf of the entire community. The result was 26 legislative meetings with state representatives.
NHF honors this impressive effort with this year’s John Indence Award. The award is given to a chapter that has fully embraced Bleeding Disorders Awareness Month as an opportunity to increase advocacy, awareness and funding. It’s named for NHF’s former vice president of marketing and communications, who died suddenly in 2016. He was known as a passionate and hardworking leader, one who elevated NHF’s communications efforts, and helped ensure that NHF represented all individuals living with inheritable blood and bleeding disorders. Sue Lerch, the chapter’s executive director, accepted the award.
Jim Christensen, Jr., is a prime example of what makes our community so special. He has a true passion for helping others, and demonstrates it in a variety of ways. NHF honors Jim’s ongoing generosity by awarding him the honor of Philanthropist of the Year. The award goes to donors who have invested in the future of the entire community, while also giving back.
About four years ago, Jim formed inSourceRx, a philanthropically driven prescription drug discount program, positively impacting countless families. When consumers fill a prescription with the inSourceRx card, medication discounts are provided, and a portion of proceeds goes directly to foundations and nonprofits to support worthy causes.
Jim’s involvement with NHF goes back more than 30 years, starting with his local chapter in Nebraska. He was born with hemophilia A, and well understands the challenges health care costs can bring. Jim, thanks for all that you do!
Mikey White, Jr., of Baldwinsville, New York, is no average kid. At 15, Mikey is an impressive high school athlete and role model. And he happens to have hemophilia B. Mikey, who encourages others to believe in themselves and to work toward what they want, is this year’s recipient of the Ryan White Youth Award.
The award, named in honor of Ryan White, honors a young person who has helped educate others by increasing awareness and understanding. Ryan White had severe hemophilia and contracted AIDS in 1984 through the infusion of contaminated clotting factor. He brought national attention to hemophilia and its complications, changed people's prejudicial attitudes and educated the public, generating national compassion. NHF—and Mikey—continue his legacy with the award. Many look up to Mikey, including his younger brother, who also has hemophilia B.
Randy Curtis, MBA, who was diagnosed with severe hemophilia A as a child, has worked tirelessly for the community by collecting data and computing the direct impact of bleeding disorders for a multitude of organizations. His extensive skill and caring heart has led to work for the NHF MASAC Pain Group, the Hemophilia Utilization Group, the Patient Reported Outcomes, Burdens and Experiences study, the Cost of Hemophilia Socioeconomic Survey, and many other initiatives. He also served as the board chair of Hemophilia Council of California, and has led focus groups for community members.
By presenting Randy with the Lifetime Achievement Award, NHF recognizes that he has dedicated his life’s work to helping people with blood and bleeding disorders. This group of honorees has contributed their time and energy on a national and international scale to advance research, care and advocacy. Randy’s first BDC was also in Houston, 37 years ago in 1985.
Briana Reinking is not only the longtime chair of her chapter’s advocacy committee, a member of the Colorado Bleeding Disorders Committee and the mother of two children with hemophilia, she’s also the most recent winner of the Advocate of the Year award. The honor goes to an individual who is active in their chapter’s advocacy program, advocates on behalf of the community, and displays a commitment to fighting for access to treatment and care.
Briana is vocal and fearless, and a familiar presence in state and national advocacy. She has been recognized by Colorado legislators on the Senate floor, and has raised her voice for federal initiatives during NHF’s Washington Days. Some, quite simply, consider her “the face of advocacy for the bleeding disorders community in Colorado.”
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