|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
You are reading this after the holiday season, but understand I am writing it right in the heart of this season of giving. It has been truly a blessed year for all of us at the Hemophilia Foundation of Illinois. So many people have come together to reinvigorate our organization and our efforts on behalf of the bleeding disorder community. We ended our fiscal year on September 30 with a solid financial foundation. This was the second year in a row we were able to do this. This is such a critical step in order to build strength in our organization. The generous on-going support of our community not only means that we can meet today’s needs but also begin to plan for tomorrow. Key to our strength is the great turnout and response we get at our fundraising events. Since issuing the last FactorNet we have had the 10th Annual Driving fore Hemophilia Golf Outing and the 4th Annual Holiday Wine Tasting and Auction. There are more details about the results of the golf outing enclosed – including the promised pictures of my wearing traditional 1930s golf attire as part of the successful Duffer’s Challenge. The Wine Auction, as usual, was an elegant and fun evening. More than 150 guests enjoyed a four-course dinner with a different wine paired with each. We thank our Champagne Sponsor, CSL Behring, for taking the lead on this event and helping us raise the vital dollars we did for our programs and services. Mark your calendars for March 8th, 2008 for the Spring Gala. The Committee is working hard to put together a magnificent event. There are also details in this issue on how you can participate. This year was a strong year for building foundation. We held tremendous education events including the inception of the Statewide Education & Fun Weekend. Thanks to everyone who took part and be sure to mark your calendars for the second annual event to be held on April 26 – 27, 2008. We will once again be at Grizzly Jack’s Grand Bear Resort & Lodge in Utica, Illinois We brought back our advocacy program in full force during this year also. We had a great team that worked hard and on July 2 the Governor signed SB 1580 into law. This legislation brings back our State Hemophilia Advisory Board which provides us with a key voice in state government. The nominations have been sent to the Governor’s office and we expect the Board to be seated by early next year – watch for these announcements. Our efforts were recognized at the 49th Annual Meeting of the National Hemophilia Foundation in Orlando at the end of October. We shared the “Advocacy Program of the Year” Award with the Iowa chapter who successfully passed similar legislation to ours. While we got started on advocacy during this year we have so much more to do. We have grown complacent because of product safety and availability. I am worried that this complacency is going to cause major problems in the very near future. Please see my call to action article and take heed. We definitely need you to get involved so that you can fully understand what dangers may be looming. Join us on February 2 for the 2nd Annual Advocacy Retreat. This will be the best place for each of us to get a thorough understanding and build a plan of action. No look back – or look forward – is complete without mentioning camp. This summer’s camp was the best – but each year is the best! With that said, know that Camp Warren Jyrch 2008 is going to be the better than ever and all camp age children (ages 7-15) won’t want to miss it. We are excited to announce that we will be holding the 36th session of camp at the Timber Pointe Outdoor Centre on Lake Bloomington, Illinois. This camp is sponsored by the Easter Seals organization, making them a strong partner with HFI. They truly understand and match our mission of providing a safe and independent camping experience for our children. Erin DeVore will continue as our Camp Director. Erin brought her lifetime of experience in camping to HFI last summer and added a level of professionalism which will continue to help us strengthen this vital children’s program while implementing American Camping Association policies and guidelines. We are working with Erin to introduce two new important aspects of camp. First, is a Leadership Training Weekend for teenagers and young adults. This two day experiential program, while focused on how to better training current and new counselors. This will be open to all interested in becoming a young leader in our community. We will also be holding the 1st Annual Marcus McClure Family Camping Weekend. This special program will be for young families who want to learn about Camp Warren Jyrch before their children attend for the first time. Both of these events will also be held at the Timber Pointe Outdoor Center. We do not have the dates set for either of these events or the exact dates for camp as of this writing. We are in final negotiations and expect all dates to be available right after the first of the year. Please call us, talk with your treatment center and/or check our web site (www.hfi-il.org), as we will broadcast this news as soon as we know. I am very pleased to announce new additions to our staff. Bea Carr joined the Foundation in October as the new Financial Coordinator. Bea brings years of financial and accounting experience to HFI and will help all of us make sure that our money is well-managed. Our newest staff person, Aimee Krampe-Rizk, will be joining HFI on January 3. Aimee will be assuming the position of Program Coordinator where she will work with the community to build our education and consumer services programs. I started by saying thanks for everyone’s involvement in re-invigorating our organization. I am so proud to be part of such a dynamic organization that has so many dedicated leaders. Please take a second during this very special time of giving and share with someone new why you put your time and energy into the Hemophilia Foundation of Illinois. Not only will this type of action share our important story, it may invoke someone else to take part in our special group. Happy Holidays to each and every one of you. You are special to me!
Bob Robinson Executive Director
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
|
