For many, the mile-high city provided a mountain top experience as attendees gathered in Denver to celebrate NHF’s 60th Annual Meeting. For many, just seeing the Rockies was a cause for revelation. For others, marveling at the vitality of all the children at this year’s event brought smiles. For most people, seeing others with similar concerns was a reminder that they are not climbing the mountain alone.
“Reaching New Heights” was our theme this year, as nearly 2,300 people congregated at the Hyatt Regency Denver at Colorado Convention Center from November 13-15, 2008, to learn more, ask questions, share resources and get engaged in the bleeding disorders community. At the Opening Session Friday morning, attendees heard an inspiring message from Val Bias, NHF CEO. He shared his vision for a cohesive organization with a strong chapter network and a unified mission to continue to help safeguard the nation’s blood supply.
Consumers had more than 40 educational sessions to choose from, with special sessions on women’s issues (marking 10 years of Project Red Flag’s campaign to reach more women and girls), hepatitis C, insurance tips and pain management alternatives.
Consumers and providers could try their hand, or foot, at the popular “Fighting Monk: Kung Fu for People with Bleeding Disorders” session and lace up their track shoes for the brisk “fit ‘n’ fun walk/run” led by physical therapists on Saturday morning. The Final Night Event had a night club theme where participants “rocked through the decades,” celebrating NHF’s 60 years with music from the 1940s to music popular today.
Mark your calendars for NHF’s 61st Annual Meeting in San Francisco, CA—“Connecting our Community”--October 29-31, 2009.