WI Bleeding Disorders Conference

Each year, the Great Lakes Hemophilia Foundation hosts the Wisconsin Bleeding Disorders Conference (WBDC), bringing together individuals and families affected by bleeding disorders from across the state. This weekend event offers expert-led educational sessions, opportunities to connect with healthcare and industry partners, and space to build meaningful relationships within Wisconsin’s bleeding disorders community. More than just a conference, WBDC is a place where families feel understood, supported, and empowered. They leave the weekend stronger, more confident, and reminded that they are not navigating this journey alone.

Conference programming focuses on total wellness while living with a bleeding disorder and is designed to support patients and families affected by Hemophilia A, Hemophilia B, von Willebrand Disease, platelet function disorders, Glanzmann’s Thrombasthenia, Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia (HHT), and other rare bleeding disorders such as Factor VII deficiency and Factor V Leiden.

Educational sessions may include diagnosis-specific sessions for Hemophilia A and B and von Willebrand Disease. Based on the needs of registered attendees, we are also prepared to offer tailored programming and connection opportunities for individuals and families navigating rarer diagnoses.

PLEASE CAREFULLY READ ALL THE INFORMATION BELOW BEFORE REGISTERING.

Conference Programming

The weekend kicks off Friday evening with registration and a welcome reception from 5:00–7:00 p.m. This year, we’re excited to also offer dinner stations during registration. Be sure to RSVP for Friday dinner when completing your registration.

Saturday features a full day of educational sessions designed to support individuals and families (ages 14+) at every stage of their journey. Dedicated youth programming will be available for ages 7–13, and childcare will be provided for children ages 4–6 during Saturday’s sessions. More information below. 

On Sunday morning, enjoy breakfast before attending one of several industry-sponsored symposium sessions to close out the weekend.

Youth Programming & Childcare

Please carefully register each child participating in youth programming. Activities, supervision, transportation, and staffing are planned in advance based on registered attendance ratios. We are unable to accommodate day-of registrations for youth programming (ages 4–13).

Youth Programming (Ages 7–13)

New in 2026, youth programming will take place fully offsite on Saturday from approximately 9:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Participants will travel to Upham Woods for a day of hands-on environmental education, team-building activities, and confidence-building outdoor experiences. Lunch will be provided. Caregivers should send participants with a clearly labeled day bag containing any personal items needed for the day.

Childcare (Ages 4–6)

Childcare will be available during Saturday programming for children ages 4–6. All participants must be fully potty trained.

Children Ages 3 & Under

Children ages three and under are welcome to attend conference programming with a caregiver. GLHF can assist with arrangements to bring an additional caretaker if needed. This accommodation is available only for families with children ages three and under. Please contact Kailee at 262.427.8274 or kfrederick@glhf.org to discuss special arrangements.

Youth Special Accommodations 

While we are committed to creating inclusive and supportive spaces for all children, GLHF is a nonprofit organization and our youth program is led by trained and dedicated volunteers. Our ability and liability to accommodate complex medical needs or certain learning or behavioral challenges may be limited. If your child has specific medical or support needs, please contact GLHF no later than May 1. Requests will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis in coordination with our on-site nurse and volunteer team.

For questions or to discuss your child’s needs, please contact our Conference Youth Director, Karin Koppen, at kkoppen@glhf.org.

Accommodations

The 2026 Wisconsin Bleeding Disorders Conference will take place at the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells.

The family (up to four people) or individual registration fee is $250 and includes:

• One hotel room for Friday and Saturday nights
  (Additional immediate household family members beyond four are $30 per person.)
  
• Four waterpark passes (valid Friday–Sunday)
  
• Conference programming for adults (ages 14+), youth programming (ages 7–13), and childcare (ages 4–6)
  
• Meals: Friday dinner; Saturday breakfast and lunch; Sunday breakfast

GLHF is committed to ensuring cost is not a barrier to attendance. If you need financial assistance, please review the special instructions below before registering. 

A minimum payment of $20 is required to hold your reservation and support the sustainability of this program.

Eligibility

This special conference rate is available to individuals living with a bleeding disorder and their immediate household family members only. Attendees must either receive care at a Wisconsin HTC or reside in Wisconsin.

Participation Policy

While the registration fee is $250, the actual cost of the weekend is approximately $2,000 per family of four. This significantly reduced rate is made possible through generous sponsorships and is contingent upon attendance at conference programming. Adults and youth who do not  register or attend programming are not eligible for Saturday or Sunday meals.

Consistent participation in conference programming is required to remain eligible for future conference attendance at the sponsored rate. Attending programming is essential not only to get the most out of the conference, but also to ensure that every spot goes to a family who will truly benefit from the weekend. GLHF reserves the right to review and deny future conference registrations for individuals or families who register but do not attend scheduled programming.

Special Instructions

We understand that families have different abilities to contribute to GLHF education and programs. Our goal is to ensure that Wisconsin families impacted by a bleeding disorder, or receiving care from a Wisconsin Hemophilia Treatment Center, who would like to participate in this educational conference have the opportunity to do so.

To support this, financial assistance for the registration fee is available. Before registering online, please submit a thoughtful statement (minimum 50 words) describing what you hope to gain or learn from this year’s WBDC.

Send your statement to kfrederick@glhf.org. We will review your submission and contact you with registration instructions by May 1.

Attendee Code of Conduct

The Wisconsin Bleeding Disorders Conference is designed to be a safe, respectful, and supportive environment for learning and connection. By registering for and attending this event, all participants agree to uphold the following expectations:

1. Respect & Community Care
Treat all attendees, GLHF staff, volunteers, speakers, healthcare professionals, and industry partners with respect and professionalism. Harassment, threatening language, intimidation, or disrespectful behavior toward anyone at the conference will not be tolerated.

2. Confidentiality
Discussions during the conference may involve personal health experiences. I agree to respect the privacy of others and keep personal information shared during sessions or conversations confidential.

3. Participation in Educational Programming
This conference is made possible through generous sponsorships that subsidize the cost for attendees. You must actively participate in the educational programming offered. Participation helps ensure the continued availability of this program for the bleeding disorders community.

4. Non-Commercial Participation
You are attending the conference as a patient, caregiver, or family member. If you also have a commercial interest related to bleeding disorder products or services (e.g., employment with a home care company, pharmaceutical company, or related organization), you cannot use this conference to solicit business or promote products or services.

5. Inclusive Environment
This conference is designed to foster community connection. support an inclusive environment by participating in scheduled group meals, sessions, and activities during conference hours and will not participate in offsite or exclusive activities.

6. Reporting Concerns
Notify GLHF staff if you observe any behavior that violates this Code of Conduct or raises safety concerns.

Action for Code Violations
GLHF reserves the right to address violations of this Code of Conduct at its discretion. Behavior that is threatening, abusive, discriminatory, or otherwise disruptive may result in immediate removal from the conference. In such cases, GLHF may cancel the attendee’s registration and accommodations without refund.

Register by May 1.

Ready to join us? Register here for the 2026 Wisconsin Bleeding Disorders Conference now until May 1.

Contact

Questions? Need clarification? Plans have changed? Please contact Kailee at kfrederick@glhf.org or call 262.427.8274 during business hours.

PLEASE READ CONFIRMATION EMAIL FOR SPECIFIC DETAILS AFTER YOU REGISTER.

“My family is very new to the blood disorder community. We have great support from our care team at our HTC, but something was still missing. We felt alone in this journey until the conference weekend. Now we feel like we gained a whole new family! It was wonderful networking with other families, hearing their stories, struggles, and triumphs. My daughter no longer feels alone and different. She is leaving this weekend with more confidence, new friendships, and knowledge, and so are her parents!” – A 2024 Conference Attendee