The Junior National Championship (JNC), presented by the National Hemophilia Foundation (NHF) and ZLB Behring, begins mid-August and ends in late September 2006. The program provides children and teens, ages 7-18, who have a bleeding disorder with the opportunity to participate in sports and exercise programs led by a professional athlete who also has a bleeding disorder.

All NHF chapters are invited to submit applications to be a host chapter, holding the program in their area. This year events will be hosted in four cities: Indianapolis, IN, on August 13th; Portland, OR, on August 26th; Albany, NY, on September 23rd; and San Diego, CA, on September 30th.

Each JNC event takes place on a Saturday or Sunday. It is a full-day event that provides exercise, information on safety precautions, food, fun, fresh air and companionship.

The athletes leading the program this year are PGA golf professional Perry Parker and semi-professional baseball player Jesse Schrader. Participants choose the sport of their choice-either golf or baseball-and receive group and individual instruction. Afterward, participants use the coaching instruction to play a full round of golf or a game of baseball.

Regional winners and their parents are invited as guests of NHF and ZLB Behring to attend the NHF Annual Meeting, this year in Philadelphia, October 12-14, 2006.
For more information about signing up for the JNC event in your area, call the participating chapter nearest you:

Indianapolis, IN (August 13th)
Michelle Rice
mrice@hemophiliaofindiana.org
317.396.0065

Portland, OR (August 26th)
Monica Dickey
info@easystreet.com
503.297.7207

Albany, NY (September 23rd)
Kim Stanton
stantok@mall.amc.edu
518.262.5827

San Diego, CA (September 30th)
Teresa Ramirez
teresa@hasdc.org
619.325.3570