Women and Girls
The following resources are dedicated to supporting women, girls, and people with the potential to menstruate who either have a bleeding disorder diagnosis or are at risk of having a bleeding disorder.
Women, Girls, and People with the Potential to Menstruate with Bleeding Disorders Initiative
The Western and Eastern Pennsylvania Bleeding Disorders Foundations’ Women with Bleeding Disorders initiative is an outreach program aimed at improving diagnosis of bleeding disorders and improving the quality of life in women, girls, and individuals with the potential to menstruate. Our outreach program will consist of the following:
- Creating and distributing period bags to university health centers, school nurses, local health clinics, and OB/GYNs throughout Pennsylvania. We will also host booths at health fairs and community events and distribute period bags at these events.
- Creating and distributing magnets, stickers, and flyers which list the symptoms of bleeding disorders in women and where to go for more information.
- Distributing Better You Know (BYK) health provider information brochures and the Hemophilia Foundation of America’s (HFA) Menstruation Tracking Logs to local college health centers, school nurses, community health clinics, and OB/GYN offices.The National Bleeding Disorders Foundation’s website, The Better You Know, provides information for providers and patients and people who are at risk of having a bleeding disorder. https://www.betteryouknow.org/
- Providing Better You Know brochures and swag items at local community events and health fairs.
- Identifying and supporting individuals with bleeding disorders experiencing period poverty. We work very closely with the social workers at the seven hemophilia treatment centers (HTCs) of Pennsylvania and we will work together to identify and support women experiencing period poverty.
1. If you know of community events that have booth or exhibit opportunities, please let us know. Better yet, if you would be willing to display at the booth or exhibit we can provide you all the resources you need!
2. If you have connections with your local school nurses, high schools, universities, health clinics, OB/GYNs we need your help to get these resources to them!
3. Be on the lookout for when we do a call for volunteers to put together period packs. We are so grateful to all of you who have volunteered so far and helped us put together hundreds of packs to distribute.
Period Product Support
WPBDF offers a program to assist women with bleeding disorders with access to period products.
Feminine hygiene products, sanitary products, menstrual products, period products, whatever you call them, they're all the same--expensive! These products are a necessity, not a luxury, and they can put a strain on personal finances, causing many people to have to choose between purchasing products for their periods and purchasing food or other necessities. Having heavy or prolonged periods increases the need for these products, creating an even greater impact on personal and family budgets. This fund will provide gift cards for period products.
Eligibility:
- The applicant is a member of the Western Pennsylvania Bleeding Disorders Foundation with a diagnosed bleeding disorder.
- The cost of period products is making it difficult to afford essential household bills.
To apply, please fill out the online application here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/J3ZPNDV
Questions? Contact Janet Barone (janet@wpbdf.org) or Kara Dornish (kara@wpbdf.org) or call the Foundation office at 724-741-6160.
How to Help
If you are in a position to help and would like to contribute, we welcome you to bring new, unopened packages of tampons, pads, period underwear, menstrual cups, etc., to WPBDF events, to donate. These items will be available for others to take home with them at no cost.
Women, Girls, & People with the Potential to Menstruate with Bleeding Disorders Tool Kit
This tool kit was designed in partnership with the Eastern Pennsylvania Bleeding Disorders Foundation to further our WGPPM Initiative. We are dedicated to raising awareness, improving diagnosis, and enhancing the quality of life for women, girls, and people with the potential to menstruate who have bleeding disorders.
We hope you will join us in our efforts to make a meaningful impact for WGPPM with bleeding disorders. Despite long-standing misconceptions about bleeding disorders in women, women can and do have bleeding disorders. According to the American Journal of Preventative Medicine, as many as 2 million in the U.S. could have an undiagnosed bleeding disorder. Your support is critical in ensuring tools and resources are provided and available to those who may show symptoms of a bleeding disorder.
Within this tool kit, you will find, magnets and clings detailing the symptoms of bleeding disorders—ideal for placing in restrooms or sharing with those who might benefit from this crucial information. Additionally, we’ve included business cards that outline these symptoms and provide a link to betteryouknow.org, where individuals can complete an online risk assessment.
We’ve also provided sample scripts to help you engage with school nurses, college and university residence life and health centers, and rural health clinics. By encouraging their participation and distributing period packs and resources to patients who may be at risk, you will play a pivotal role in advancing our mission.
Want to request a tool kit? Contact Kara Dornish at kara@wpbdf.org or call the Foundation office at 724-741-6160.
Websites, Conferences, & More
National Bleeding Disorders Foundation Victory for Women Website
NOW (National Outreach von Willebrand) Annual Conference
Foundation for Women & Girls with Blood Disorders
Community Peer Support
WPBDF provides education and support for women with bleeding disorders through the Community Peer Group WPBDF Winning Women.
FLOW
FLOW is a monthly show for women with bleeding disorders, menstruating individuals who experience extreme bleeding, and those looking for more access to menstruation-health information.
Learn more and listen at: https://www.believeltd.com/podcast/flow
