New York City Hemophilia Chapter's 2026 Unite Walk

Team Heney Hemophiliacs

Our son JJ was diagnosed with Hemophilia A and Von Willebrands Disease when he was just a few weeks old. New York City Hemophilia Chapter stepped up to support us as we navigated raising a newborn with two bleeding disorders, in the midst of a global pandemic. While we started walking in honor of JJ, the Heney Hemophiliacs walk for everyone affected by a bleeding disorder — and in our family, that’s quite a few of us. JJ, Jackie, Peggy, cousin Dean, and Jackie's late grandfather John Finnegan all have Hemophilia A. On top of that, JJ and Jackie also live with a second bleeding disorder, Von Willebrand Disease.

What does it mean to live with a bleeding disorder?

It means our blood is missing the proteins it needs to clot properly. It means a small injury can become a serious one. It can mean lifelong joint pain, internal bleeding you can’t see, and slower healing. It means that everyday life can bring real risks -- even simple things like losing a baby tooth become an emergency. It means lots of needles -- because our treatments are injections and IVs. And for a little guy like JJ, thats a lot to handle!

How your past donations have helped our family:

When you donate to our Unite for Bleeding Disorders team, your contribution doesn’t disappear into a massive national fund. Every dollar goes directly to our local chapter, New York City Hemophilia Chapter (NYCHC), which supports families like ours every single day. Your support directly strengthens families navigating bleeding disorders. It empowers kids like JJ, supports parents like us, and ensures that no one walks this path alone. Because of NYCHC — and supporters like you — our family has already benefited in profound ways:

Jackie received a scholarship to attend the NBDF Bleeding Disorders Conference in Colorado, where she gained invaluable education and community.
Educational programs taught us about new and upcoming treatments. This helped us advocate for JJ’s prophylactic treatment, which he began this past October. He is clear of constant painful hematomas for the first time in his life!
Political advocacy - NYCHC advocates for healthcare and insurance initiatives that make sure patients with bleeding disorders can receive lifesaving treatments.
Opportunities like Double H Ranch, where JJ enjoyed an adaptive skiing weekend and we experienced a family camp designed for kids with chronic conditions.
Family connection events have helped us bond with other families who understand this journey. We're hoping to start a peer-to-peer mentoring program for families with newly diagnosed children.
Infusion training with medical professionals has empowed us to take control of our own IV treatments and dramatically reduces emergency hospital visits.

How to support our team:

WALK WITH US: Join our team, and walk with us on June 7 at Riverbank State Park in NYC – click "join our team" on this website to register!
DONATE: Right here on the Unite for Bleeding Disorders Walk page
EVENTS: Join us for TWO different fundraisers
- BRICKS FOR BLEEDERS Thursday May 21, 6-8 pm at Bricks & Minifigs-- A kids night out: Pizza dinner, LEGO fun & games.....all for a great cause! Drop off the kids OR stay and play! Click here to register!