More than 250 attendees stood with NHF CEO Val D. Bias as he raised a glass to toast to the 70th anniversary of the National Hemophilia Foundation at its annual fundraising gala, the Red Tie Soiree. It was in recognition of the 70 years of service, education, healthcare advocacy and funding for research that have been the pillars of the organization since its founding in 1948.

The Red Tie Soiree, held May 9, 2018 at Current at Chelsea Piers in New York, paid tribute to four honorees: Margaret Ragni, Md, MPH, who received the Leadership in Research Award; Michael Tarantino, MD, who received the Excellence in Healthcare Award; Genentech, who received the Corporate Impact Award; and Jeanne White-Ginder, who received the Inspiration Award.

A special paddle pledge and auction raised more than $50,000 for NHF's Connections for Learning (CFL) program, which provides grants to families in need to attend NHF's Bleeding Disorders Conference, where they can receive necessary education and support. The pledge was kicked off by Milo Cedeno, a 10-year-old boy with hemophilia, who spoke affectingly about living with hemophilia and the support his family has found through the bleeding disorders community and NHF.

The event raised more than $343,000 in support of the mission of NHF. NHF is thankful to 70th Anniversary Sponsor Genentech; Visionary Sponsor Shire; Hero Sponsor The Hemophilia Alliance; Leader Sponsors CSL Behring, BioMarin and Greenberg Traurig; Donor Sponsors Novo Nordisk; CVS Specialty; the Bleeding and Clotting Disorders Institute; Kedrion Biopharma; Medscape Education; National Cornerstone Health Services; Octapharma; Bayer; Spark Therapeutics; Pfizer and Grifols for their support.