CHES Foundation, Inc.

01/21/2026

January is , a time to recognize and celebrate the incredible gift of blood donation and its life-saving impact, especially for those living with rare bleeding disorders.

Blood transfusions can be critical during severe bleeding episodes, providing essential support and care when it's needed most. A steady supply of donations helps prevent treatment delays, reduces complications, and ensures safer, more reliable care. By donating blood or plasma—or encouraging others to do so—you can directly support the health, independence, and quality of life of people living with bleeding disorders.

Even those with bleeding disorders can still donate blood and plasma to certain biomedical entities that delve into research specifically for people in our community! Due to increasing demands for laboratory testing, the need for plasma-based laboratory reagents continues to rise! Check out George King Bio-Medical, Inc. and how you can help them!

Thank you to all donors for your selfless acts of kindness! 🙏❤️

01/16/2026

Joints are pretty important to us in the bleeding disorder community? Right? 💪 Dr. James Luck joined us a few years ago for our Momentum Retreat to discuss options for the Inhibitor Community. Whether it is replacement or fusion, he covered various aspects on how those with an inhibitor are impacted in the decision making process. Take a watch!

Dr. James Luck, a well-renown orthopedic surgeon at the hemophilia treatment center of UCLA, explores the elective orthopedic surgery options that are now po...

01/12/2026

Starting with a focus on the Ultra-Rares, we already have our eye on Rare Disease Day at the end of February! In the US, a rare disease or disorder is defined as one that affects fewer than 200,000 people. vWD is the most common while approximately 33,000 males are affected by Hemophilia A or B. The less-common factor deficiencies such as I, II, V, VII, X, XI, XII and XIII, are all considered ULTRA Rare Disorders.

Many people, especially women with VWD, are unaware they have a bleeding disorder or undiagnosed and underrepresented in the numbers of bleeding disorders in this country. Swipe through the stats we have put together shedding light on the Ultra-Rare numbers!

01/09/2026

WE'RE BACK! The team had a needed rest but the time has come to kick off the new year! In this edition Heather shares highlights from 2025 and what the road has on it for 2026. Our first two programs will be the re-scheduled One Drop Feb 27 - March 1, 2026 and then LadyBugs in VA April 24-26, 2026 with the ! While on the short side, this edition covers a few important topics: Healthcare cost calculator tools, weight loss in the BD community and an update on the adverse event for Marstacimab 😳

Read this edition and more here ➡️ https://ches.education/newsblog/2025/bdnews1-9-back-with-glows-grows2526

01/01/2026

Happy New Year from CHES! 🎆✨

As we step into a new year, we want to express our heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you for being an integral part of the CHES community. Your support, resilience, and dedication made 2025 truly remarkable, and we can’t wait to see what’s in store for 2026.

Let’s continue to uplift one another, celebrate our achievements, and embrace the challenges ahead with strength and unity. Together, we can make this year our best one yet!

What are you most looking forward to in 2026? Share with us below! 🌟

12/30/2025

Holiday Health Tip #4: Embrace the Uncertain 💜

As we step into a new year, we are reminded of the uncertainties that life brings, especially for those navigating health challenges. At CHES, we believe in facing the unknown with hope and optimism, knowing we are not alone. Together, we can embrace the uncertainty and find strength in each other.

In her insightful LifeLines for Health article, CHES contributor Krystyn Strother reminds us that uncertainty, while unsettling, is a fundamental part of life. Through mindfulness, we can engage with these feelings and transform them into opportunities for growth and understanding. By focusing on what we can control and accepting what we cannot, we learn to ground ourselves in the present and prepare for whatever comes our way.

Read more from Krystyn: https://ches.education/lfh-blog/2020/8/3/engaging-uncertainty?rq=uncertainty

👩‍👦𝗣𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 & 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀: How do you embrace uncertainty in your daily life, especially when managing a bleeding disorder? Share your experiences and strategies for staying grounded and hopeful 💬
🥼𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘀: How can you support your patients in navigating uncertainty with confidence and resilience? Share tips and resources that encourage mindfulness and acceptance, like Krystyn’s article, linked above.

As we begin a new year, remember that CHES is here for you, embracing the uncertainty together. Let's enter 2026 with courage, strength, and community 💗✨

12/25/2025

As we gather to celebrate the joy and warmth of Christmas, we want to extend our heartfelt wishes to each member of our incredible community. Your strength, support, and resilience inspire us every day, and we are so grateful to have you as part of the CHES family ❤️

May this Christmas fill your hearts with love, your homes with laughter, and your lives with peace. Let's cherish the moments of togetherness and create beautiful memories with our loved ones 🎄✨

What are you most grateful for this Christmas? Share your thoughts in the comments below and spread the festive spirit! 🎅

12/23/2025

Holiday Health Tip #3: Build a Self-Care Menu 🧘‍♀️

Ever feel like your holiday season is more tangled lights than twinkling stars? 😵‍💫​​ We've all been there!

In CHES contributor Emily Taylor's LifeLines for Health article, she reminds us that self-care isn’t selfish—it’s essential. Read more here: https://ches.education/lfh-blog/2023/1/16/self-care-is-self-love?rq=self-care

So, what does self-care look like, and where should you begin? Here are a few ideas from Emily's self-care menu to get you started:

😮‍💨𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸: Calm your nerves with simple breathwork. Inhale for 4 counts, hold briefly, exhale for 4 counts. Try extending the exhale to 6 counts for added relaxation.
🧘‍♀️𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Spend seven minutes on meditation to shift your mindset and find calm. Use apps like Insight Timer for guided sessions, which can reduce stress and improve mental clarity.
🏃‍♂️𝗠𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁: Engage in joyful activities like yoga, walking, or dancing. Choose movements that feel enjoyable and help release tension, boosting your mood.
☀️𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗥𝗶𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹: Begin your day with purpose by rising early for quiet time. Enjoy writing in a gratitude journal, sipping a morning drink, or sitting in silence to set a positive tone.
🌙𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗥𝗶𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹: End your day with a soothing shower or bath, using bath bombs or essential oils to unwind. A gentle self-massage can also help prepare your body for restful sleep.

👨‍👧𝗣𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 & 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀: How do you incorporate self-care into your routine during the holidays? Share your self-care menu in the comments! 💬
🧑‍⚕️𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘀: Have you ever discussed the concept of a self-care menu with your patients? Encourage adopting small practices that promote well-being during the holiday season and beyond.

12/19/2025

🧠 Check Up From the Neck Up 💙 | Digital Digest

Our latest Digital Digest continues the conversation around mental health—especially important during the holidays, when stress, comparison, grief, and loss can surface. A simple check-in can open the door to meaningful connection and care for one another.

Read this Digital Digest and past editions here! ➡️ https://ches.education/news

Plus, a quick note from us: the CHES team is taking a well-deserved breather from Dec 22–Jan 5 to rest, reset, and recharge. We can’t wait to come back energized and excited for what’s ahead in 2026.

12/18/2025

We commend Hemab Therapeutics for their steadfast dedication to advancing science and developing therapies for those with underserved bleeding disorders like congenital Factor VII deficiency (FVIID).

CHES proudly supports all those affected by FVIID, with special considerations for women and girls. Since 2012, our Factor 7 Retreat, now part of the One Drop program along with the Glanzmann’s Thrombasthenia Symposia, has provided invaluable experiences for those with rare bleeding disorders.

In addition, we've worked with experts like Dr. Diane Nugent and ATHN under the direction of Dr. Tami Singleton to offer ATHN 10 genetic testing for better diagnoses and treatment access.

Together, we are committed to advancing care for this community. Let's continue making strides toward transforming outcomes for all affected!

To learn more about One Drop, visit: https://ches.education/one-drop

Save the dates for 2026:
🗓️ 𝗢𝗻𝗲 𝗗𝗿𝗼𝗽: Tampa, FL - February 27-March 1, 2026 (rescheduled from November 2025)
🗓️ 𝗢𝗻𝗲 𝗗𝗿𝗼𝗽 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲: Tampa, FL - November 6-8, 2026

12/17/2025

Holiday Health Tip #2: Follow the 80/20 Rule 🧠

Ever feel like your life is more 80/20 beef than filet mignon? 🍔 Well, you’re not alone! This holiday season, let’s embrace the beauty of imperfection with the 80/20 rule, a concept shared by CHES contributor Gary McClain, PhD in LifeLines for Health.

Read more from Dr. McClain: https://ches.education/lfh-blog/stressing-out-how-about-using-the-80/20-rule?rq=holiday

During the holidays, it’s easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of expectations and strive for perfection in everything we do. However, aiming for 100% can lead to unnecessary stress and disappointment. What if you lowered your expectations to, say, 80%? By lowering your expectations—for yourself, and others—you can focus on what truly matters. Prioritize your health, both physical and mental, and remember that sometimes a little mess can create more space for joy and less tension.

👩‍👦𝗣𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 & 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀: How do you incorporate the 80/20 rule into your daily life, especially during the holiday season? Whether it's balancing caregiving responsibilities or handling the physical and emotional burden of living with a bleeding disorder, we’d love to hear your experiences 💬
🏥𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘀: How can you support your patients in embracing the 80/20 rule this holiday season? Consider sharing practical tips and resources (like Dr. McClain’s blog, linked below) that encourage them to prioritize what truly matters while being gentle with themselves.

By aiming for balance rather than perfection, you can enjoy the season more fully. Let’s give ourselves the gift of balance and remind ourselves that it’s okay to let things be a little less than perfect 🎯

12/15/2025

Happy Hanukkah from CHES! 🕎✨

As we light the menorah and celebrate the Festival of Lights, we extend our warmest wishes to everyone in our community. May this Hanukkah bring joy, peace, and blessings to you and your loved ones.

Let's cherish the miracle of each night, creating lasting memories filled with laughter, love, and light. What are your favorite Hanukkah traditions? Share with us in the comments below! 🕯️💙