[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 85 (Friday, June 18, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1162]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     THE HEMOPHILIA ASSOCIATION OF CAPITOL AREA'S 40TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JAMES P. MORAN

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 17, 2004

  Mr. MORAN of Virginia. Mr. Speaker. I rise today to recognize the 
Hemophilia Association of the Capital Area on their 40th anniversary. 
The Hemophilia Association of the Capital Area or HACA is a nonprofit 
organization that provides many needed services to persons with 
bleeding disorders such as Hemophilia and Von Willebrands Disease and 
their families. HACA serves Northern Virginia, Washington, DC, and the 
Maryland counties of Montgomery and Prince Georges. HACA is a chapter 
of the Hemophilia Federation of America and the National Hemophilia 
Foundation, the two leading hemophilia patient organizations. HACA's 
mission is to improve the quality of life for persons with Hemophilia 
and Von Willebrand's disease and their families, to act as an advocate; 
to educate, to improve services to its members; to promote research and 
to raise necessary resources in financial and volunteer terms to 
fulfill this purpose.
  Hemophilia is a blood clotting disorder where certain proteins are 
missing in the blood plasma, which prevents the body's blood from 
clotting properly. This can lead to prolonged bleeding episodes, which 
can result in severe joint damage and in some cases death. However, it 
is a myth that those with hemophilia can bleed to death from minor 
injuries or from bleeding out.
  Recently, HACA has been under the stewardship of Executive Director 
Sandi Qualley. Sandi has worked tirelessly to improve services for 
those with bleeding disorders both nationally and in Virginia. HACA has 
an integral part of the successful grass roots movement to pass the 
Ricky Ray Hemophilia Relief Fund Act during the 1990s. Recently HACA 
has worked with other community members to launch a campaign to educate 
Congress on women and bleeding disorders.
  HACA currently serves over 250 families through the metropolitan 
Washington, DC area. The organization provides an array of educational 
programs and services for its members. HACA provides financial 
assistance to deserving families. HACA also assists other nonprofit 
organizations that work with the hemophilia community with resources.
  The HACA Blood Buddies Program works to match up young boys with 
hemophilia with older hemophiliacs who serve as mentors. Blood Buddies 
was established in 1998 to help facilitate an environment where 
individuals and families affected by bleeding disorders can gather to 
discuss issues, learn procedures, and build a community of support. The 
program's focus is to learn about current trends, community events, 
discuss social issues while building friendships, and mentoring young 
individuals through support.
  I would like to take this opportunity to salute the Hemophilia 
Association of the Capital Area on their 40 years of service to the 
hemophilia community throughout the Nation and in the metropolitan 
Washington, DC area. I wish them many more years of superior work.




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