GLHF Letter to the Community on COVID-19
Dear GLHF Community Members,
We are thinking of you every day. As we navigate this current health crisis together, our primary concern is, and has always been, the health and wellness of the individuals, families and communities that we serve. In this unprecedented time, connecting with each other is more important than ever. While we practice social distancing, staying healthy means not falling into an unhealthy pattern of social isolation. Taking care of our emotional well-being, prioritizing self-care and staying engaged with the important people in your life are critical as well.
Our goal is to keep you informed. We will communicate using email, social media and our website. We also encourage you to refer to your state’s health department and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for the most up-to-date information.
Updates from other national organizations and partners:
National Hemophilia Foundation (NHF):
Coverage Concerns and Unanswered Questions: We Get It
Updates on Product Availability During COVID-19 Outbreak
Statement from Dr. Len Valentino from NHF on COVID-19
Hemophilia Federation of America (HFA):
United Way 211:
2-1-1 has been activated by Governor Evers in response to COVID-19.
Dial 2-1-1 to speak with a call specialist.
Text COVID-19 to 211-211 to receive links to CDC information about the virus.
Additional details are available here.
Mental Health:
Center for Disease Control: Managing Anxiety and Stress
Psychology Today: How COVID-19 May Impact Mental Health.
GLHF Office – For the safety of our community and staff, we will be working remotely. Our staff will continue to be available. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out. Staff contact information, including direct telephone extensions, can be found on our website. Staff voicemail will be checked regularly. We will do our best to get back to you in a timely manner.
GLHF Spring Events – All GLHF events until May 15 are cancelled. More information will be provided if we are able to re-schedule these events. The following events are now cancelled or postponed:
April 15: Community Night at Miller Park
Madison’s Best Bloody
Summer, in-district meetings with elected officials.
May 1-3: Leader-In-Training (LIT) retreat/training. LIT Training may be re-scheduled as a virtual event.
May 3: Camp Klotty Pine Open House
The Wisconsin Bleeding Disorders Conference is tentative. Please check our website for updates.
GLHF Summer Events – At this time, we hope that Camp Klotty Pine and the Unite for Bleeding Disorders Walk will move forward as planned. Because information is changing on a daily basis, we will continue to keep you informed via email, our website and social media.
Camp Applications – Applications for Camp Klotty Pine will be available and accepted beginning May 1, 2020.
Emergency Assistance – Our Patient Financial Assistance (PFA) Program helps people and families living with a bleeding disorder access affordable health care by assisting with insurance premiums, medical bills, emergency basic living expenses and medical ID jewelry. To quality, a patient/family must:
Be a Wisconsin resident or receive care from a Wisconsin Hemophilia Treatment Center (HTC).
Have a diagnosis of hemophilia, von Willebrand disease or other bleeding disorders served by GLHF.
Complete a PFA application with your HTC social worker and meet the financial needs requirements.
To apply for assistance:
Speak with your Hemophilia Treatment Center social worker to begin the application process, or contact Karin Koppen at 414.937.6782 or kkoppen@glhf.org with questions.
Medication Supply – We are closely monitoring this situation. We encourage all patients to look to the CDC, NHF, FDA and HFA for reliable and up-to-date information.
Donations – People have asked how they can help. All donations received will help sustain GLHF programs and services as we continue to serve the bleeding disorders community of Wisconsin during this uncertain time.
We appreciate your understanding during this very dynamic and unprecedented situation. Please contact us with any questions at 414.257.0200 or info@glhf.org.
Wishing you good health!
Danielle Leitner Baxter
Executive Director