Empowering Lives & Building Community

Empowering Lives & Building Community

Empowering Lives & Building Community

Written by Nancy Messina, President, NEHA Board of Directors.

Posted: November 22, 2024. This article was originally shared in our Winter 2024 Newsletter. 

 

I am pleased to report that the New England Hemophilia Association (NEHA) continues to make significant strides in its mission to empower individuals with bleeding disorders and their families. At FallFest in November, we celebrated our achievements, reflected on our progress and outlined goals for the future during our Annual Meeting. Below is a summary of our findings.

Building a Strong Foundation: NEHA's Governance and Strategic Vision

The NEHA Board of Directors continues to provide financial oversight, strategic leadership and advocacy while driving essential initiatives like the completion of the 2021-2025 Strategic Plan and launching the 2024 Needs Assessment Survey. The data collected from this survey will be used to tailor our programs to the community’s needs, while also helping us to develop our next five-year strategic plan for 2026-2030.

Celebrating Community Impact: 2024 Milestones

  • Programs and Retreats: NEHA hosted a range of retreats and educational events in 2024, like Family Camp, the BLeaders Teen Retreat and more; collectively serving over 1,000 individuals. The diversity of these offerings underscores our commitment to meeting the unique needs of our community.
  • Scholarships and Assistance: Through educational scholarships and emergency financial assistance, NEHA directly supported 45 families with over $25,000 this year, providing both financial relief and opportunities for growth.
  • Advocacy: Families from our community continued their work at the local, state and federal levels to ensure that patients continue to have access to the healthcare and resources that they need.
  • Research: NEHA continues to support national research efforts as we value a future of promising scientific advancements in treatment, and ultimately, a cure.

Financial Strength and Transparency: Sustaining NEHA’s Mission

NEHA’s ability to support our community relies heavily on sound financial management and effective fundraising. As of November, FY 2024 revenue exceeded $1.4 million, driven by strategic partnerships and events like the Unite for Bleeding Disorders Walk, which alone, raised an impressive $352,000. Our expenses were allocated primarily to program services, demonstrating our commitment to maximizing impact and ensuring that every dollar raised goes toward empowering the community.

Innovating for the Future: Expanded Collaborations and Communication

NEHA is leveraging technology like never before, with a revitalized website and impressive growth across social media platforms, reflecting our innovative approach to communication. Through engaging printed newsletters, timely emails, vibrant social media campaigns, and a wealth of information, videos and resources on our website, we are committed to keeping our community informed, connected and engaged.

Looking Ahead: Empowering the Future Together

We are beyond thankful to our sponsors, volunteers and community members who make our work possible. Together, we can ensure a brighter future for those affected by bleeding disorders. We look forward to having you join us on this journey in the year ahead.

The Board of Directors is eager to hear from you! We are listening and always available to hear feedback! Feel free to email us with any questions or thoughts: [email protected].