I'm raising money to support the Hemophilia Foundation of Greater Florida because they have supported me not just physically but also emotionally.  Jeremiah was diagnosed with hemophilia right after he was born.  It didn't come as a surprise.  My father had hemophilia, and I knew I was a carrier.  But this still didn't prepare me for being the mother of a child with hemophilia.  Every bump, bruise, scrap, and fall was terrifying!  Things that for the rest of us could be solved with a bandaid meant a trip to the hospital for medication!  We had at least 7 trips to the ER for medicine before he was 2.  I probably could have taken him some more times, but I didn't want to build up a resistance to the factor (medication).  Factor has to be administered through a vein, and it was very difficult for nurses to start the IV.  He is now on a different medication that I administer every 4 weeks by a shot.  While he doesn't bleed or bruise as easily now, we still have to watch out for serious injuries.  The first time I went to the Hemophilia Foundation of Greater Florida, it felt like family.  I was a tired mom with a newborn.  I felt overwhelmed and scared.  They gave me resources to help me understand how to help Jeremiah best, and a community to support my emotional needs.  For families in need they help pay for medication which is extremely expensive without insurance (and sometimes even with insurance).  Please consider donating to the Hemophilia Foundation of Greater Florida and supporting families like mine!

DID YOU KNOW THAT 91% OF HFGF FUNDRAISING DOLLARS GO BACK TO THE FLORIDA BLEEDING DISORDERS COMMUNITY?  THOSE DOLLARS SEND OUR KIDS TO A MEDICALLY SUPERVISED CAMP, PROVIDE FINANCIAL EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE AND SCHOLARSHIPS, AS WELL AS CONTRIBUTE TO EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND ADVOCACY EFFORTS.