My name is Natalie Rubin and I was diagnosed with Von Willebrand Disease when I was 12, after a medicine reaction that caused me to have severe bleeding and bruising.  Later, when I was 15, I was diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, a connective tissue disorder.  These two diseases together have caused my blood to not only have trouble "glueing" itself together, but also sticking to my tissues.  Nonetheless, my medical history is not all of who I am. 

I am Band Captain at my high school.  I am going to Volunteer at Camp Boggy Creek this summer as an LIT.  I am going to meet with my representatives to advocate for continued support for the bleeding disorders community.  

My goal in volunteering in the bleeding disorders community is to help children with illnesses realize that this is a part of who they are, not all of who they are.  Having a disease will not stop me from having a succssful future, and I know this community will always hold a special place in my heart.

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.