Women & Girls with
Bleeding Disorders

WFH Global Summit

Join us online    September 25‑26 2025

WFH Global Summit on Women and Girls with Bleeding Disorders

Also available in: Français Español

ORGANIZED BY:
World Federation of Hemophilia

The WFH is pleased to announce that the fourth WFH Global Summit on Women and Girls with Bleeding Disorders (WGBD) will be held virtually on September 25 and 26, 2025 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (EDT). This edition will include educational sessions targeted to people with bleeding disorders, their families and national member organization (NMO) advocates. It also offers sessions targeted to healthcare providers and other stakeholders. 

This two-day virtual Global Summit on WGBD will serve as a platform:

  • To increase understanding of bleeding disorders in women and girls
  • To share principles or care, treatment options and the importance of a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach for women and girls
  • To emphasize the role and importance of data collection and research for advocacy purposes
  • To strengthen the capacity of patient organizations in providing services for women and girls and their families
  • To empower women and girls with bleeding disorders around the world

Several topics will be discussed, including principles of comprehensive and multidisciplinary care and the importance of collaboration amongst healthcare providers. Iron deficiency and its impact on quality of life (QoL) for women and girls, bleeding of unknown cause, how to discuss female topics openly, how to approach the impact of cultural differences in patient management and data collection amongst others.

AGENDA

This two-day virtual summit will feature plenaries, educational sessions and panel discussions inviting the audience to submit questions and interact with the speakers.

All session times are listed in EDT.

Calendar

9:00 – 9:15

OPENING PLENARY

Chair

Dawn Rotellini, Chair, Women and Girls with Bleeding Disorders Committee, World Federation of Hemophilia / Chief Operating Officer, National Bleeding Disorders Foundation, United States

Opening remark

Cesar Garrido, President, World Federation of Hemophilia, Venezuela

WFH Women and Girls with Bleeding Disorders Initiative

Andreina Tovar, Head, Global Development, World Federation of Hemophilia, Canada


9:15 – 10:30

What does multidisciplinary care for women and girls with bleeding disorders look like

This session will dive into the principles of comprehensive and multidisciplinary care for women and girls with bleeding disorders, the comorbidities experienced by them and how a comprehensive approach can help have better health and quality of life outcomes. The session will also present examples of projects aiming to achieve this, their challenges and achievements in their journey. The session will also include the testimonials of women with bleeding disorders trying to have access to multidisciplinary care at their HTCs.

Chair

Roshni Kulkarni, Member, Women and Girls with Bleeding Disorders Committee, World Federation of Hemophilia / Professor and Former Director, Michigan State University Centers for Bleeding and Clotting Disorders, United States

Comprehensive and multidisciplinary care for women and girls

Robert Sidonio, Pediatric Hematologist, Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders, United States

Kelly Tickle, Pediatric Bleeding Disorder Nurse Practitioner, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, United States

Kalinda Woods, Assistant Professor and Distinguished Physician, Emory University School of Medicine Gynecology Lead / Obstetrician Gynecologist, Emory Center for Thrombosis and Hemostasis, United States

Personal experiences

Evelyn Grimberg, Volunteer, Dutch Hemophilia Society, The Netherlands

Abira Maheen, General Secretary and National Women Group Coordinator, Hemophilia Foundation Pakistan, Pakistan


10:30 – 10:45

BREAK

HOT Topic – Beautiful Smiles, Healthy Bodies

Rebecca Schaffer, DDS, Diplomate, American Board of Orofacial Pain, United States


10:45 – 12:00

The unknown impact of iron deficiency in women and girls with bleeding disorders

The impact of iron deficiency is not fully appreciated in hematology. We will discuss management and prevention strategies of anemia for women and girls with bleeding disorders. Initially, iron deficiency anemia can be so mild that it goes unnoticed. But as the body becomes more deficient in iron and anemia worsens, the signs and symptoms intensify and can have a devastating impact on the quality of life for a woman or a girl with a bleeding disorder.

Chair

Michelle Sholzberg, Division Head of Hematology, Medical Director of Coagulation Laboratory, Director of Hemequity Lab & Hematology-Oncology Clinical Research Group, St. Michael’s Hospital / Hematology Departmental Division Director, Alexandra Yeo Chair in Hematology, Associate Professor, University of Toronto, Canada

What are iron deficiency and anemia?

Michelle Sholzberg, Division Head of Hematology, Medical Director of Coagulation Laboratory, Director of Hemequity Lab & Hematology-Oncology Clinical Research Group, St. Michael’s Hospital / Hematology Departmental Division Director, Alexandra Yeo Chair in Hematology, Associate Professor, University of Toronto, Canada

What main symptoms can women and girls with bleeding disorders have?

Marlène Beijlevelt, Vice-chair, Women and Girls with Bleeding Disorders Committee, World Federation of Hemophilia / Haemophilia and Research Nurse, Haemophilia Treatment Centre, Amsterdam University Medical Centre, The Netherlands

What can I do to have a better quality of life?

Paula James, Professor and Deputy Head, Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Queen’s University, Canada

Personal experiences

Shauna Adams, Member, Youth Leadership Advisory Committee, World Federation of Hemophilia, Australia

TBC


12:00 – 12:30

BREAK

HOT Topic – Transitioning Care to Adulthood

Shanthi Hegde, Public Health Professional and Patient Advocate / Board Member, Hemophilia Federation of America, United States

Eliza VanZweden, Formulation Scientist and Patient Advocate / Board Member, Hemophilia Foundation of Michigan, United States


12:30 – 13:30

How to become your own advocate

This session will discuss the principles of self-advocacy and the importance of information and data to make your case heard. The presenters will also discuss tools that can help in this journey as well as strategies to present yourself as a patient and achieve better care.

Chair

Dawn Rotellini, Chair, Women and Girls with Bleeding Disorders Committee, World Federation of Hemophilia / Chief Operating Officer, National Bleeding Disorders Foundation, United States

What is self-advocacy?

Yannick Collé, Member, WGBD Committee, World Federation of Hemophilia / President, Association française des hémophiles, France

Tips and tools on how to advocate for yourself

Tahira Zafar, Member, Women and Girls with Bleeding Disorders Committee, World Federation of Hemophilia / Professor of Haematology, Consultant Haematologist & Director, Haemophilia Treatment Centre Rawalpindi, Pakistan

Key communication advice for women and girls with bleeding disorders

Amanda Brito del Pino, Member, Women and Girls with Bleeding Disorders Committee, World Federation of Hemophilia / Volunteer, Hemophilia Association of Uruguay, Uruguay

Personal experiences

Paxton Mills, University Student, University of Richmond, United States

Anupama Pattiyeri, Member, Women and Girls with Bleeding Disorders Committee, World Federation of Hemophilia / Doctor, Hemophilia Society Calicut Chapter, India


13:30 – 13:45

BREAK

HOT Topic – Imposter syndrome

Noemy Esther Diaz-Burgos, Assistant Teaching Professor, Florida International University, United States


13:45 – 14:45

Understanding bleeding disorders of unknown cause

This session focuses on Bleeding Disorders of Unknown Cause (BDUC), offering insights into what BDUC means and how it affects access to care. It explores the challenges of seeking treatment without a formal diagnosis and shares personal experiences to highlight the emotional and advocacy aspects of living with unexplained bleeding. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of how to navigate care and communicate effectively in uncertain diagnostic situations.

Chair

Tahira Zafar, Member, Women and Girls with Bleeding Disorders Committee, World Federation of Hemophilia / Professor of Haematology, Consultant Haematologist & Director, Haemophilia Treatment Centre Rawalpindi, Pakistan

What are bleeding disorders of unknown cause?

Nicola Curry, Associate Professor of Haematology, Oxford University, United Kingdom

How to talk about getting treatment without a diagnosis

Marlène Beijlevelt, Vice-chair, Women and Girls with Bleeding Disorders Committee, World Federation of Hemophilia / Haemophilia and Research Nurse, Haemophilia Treatment Centre, Amsterdam University Medical Centre, The Netherlands

Personal experiences

Marlène Beijlevelt, Vice-chair, Women and Girls with Bleeding Disorders Committee, World Federation of Hemophilia / Haemophilia and Research Nurse, Haemophilia Treatment Centre, Amsterdam University Medical Centre, The Netherlands

Peta Dixon, Trustee and Young Ambassador, The Haemophilia Society, United Kingdom


14:45 – 15:00

Day 1 WRAP UP

9:00 – 9:15

Leading with impact: getting involved in supporting women and girls with bleeding disorders

WFH Women and girls with bleeding disorders committee


9:15 – 10:30

Overcoming barriers societies face in discussing female topics openly

This session explores the cultural and societal challenges that make it difficult to discuss female health topics openly. It highlights the importance of supportive family communication, especially around carrier status, menstruation, and intimacy. Through expert insights and a panel discussion, participants will gain tools to foster open, respectful dialogue within families and communities.

Chair

Patrick James Lynch, Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Believe Limited, United States

Barriers women and girls with bleeding disorders face

Roshni Kulkarni, Member, Women and Girls with Bleeding Disorders Committee, World Federation of Hemophilia / Professor and Former Director, Michigan State University Centers for Bleeding and Clotting Disorders, United States

Dads to daughters supporting conversations about carrier status and bleeding

Kathaleen Schnur, Clinical Social Worker, Hemophilia Center of Western Pennsylvania, United States

This is embarrassing… How to create a healthy space for conversations about intimacy for young women with bleeding disorders

Jane Portnoy, Social Worker, Ronald Sawers Haemophilia Centre, The Alfred, Australia

Panel discussion on overcoming barriers societies face in discussing female topics openly

Chatowa Naomi Kawonga, Medical Student, University of Zambia, Zambia

Tsute Mwale, Board Member, Haemophilia Foundation of Zambia & Zambia Childhood Cancer Foundation, Zambia

Noemy Esther Diaz-Burgos, Assistant Teaching Professor, Florida International University, United States

Daniel Hartmann, United States


10:30 – 10:45

BREAK

HOT Topic – Intimacy

Lauren Phillips, Member, WGBD Committee, World Federation of Hemophilia / Board Member, Youth, Haemophilia Foundation of New Zealand, New Zealand


10:45 – 12:00

The role of culture in women and girls with bleeding disorders management

Utilizing the five social determinants of health, global bleeding disorder nurses will identify the non-medical factors that influence health outcomes. These determinants refer to the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, and age — all of which have a significant impact on individual and community well-being. By recognizing and addressing these non-medical influences, bleeding disorder nurses around the world can contribute to more equitable and holistic care strategies that go beyond clinical interventions, ultimately improving health outcomes for women and girls living with bleeding disorders.

Chair

Marlène Beijlevelt, Vice-chair, Women and Girls with Bleeding Disorders Committee, World Federation of Hemophilia / Haemophilia and Research Nurse, Haemophilia Treatment Centre, Amsterdam University Medical Centre, The Netherlands

Social determinants of health, African perspective

Cyrus Githinji Njuguna, Nurse, Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital / Secretary, Board of Directors, Kenya Hemophilia Association, Kenya

Social determinants of health, Asian perspective

Anjalin D’souza, Assistant Professor-selection Grade, Manipal College of Nursing, MAHE / Nurse Coordinator, HTC Kasturba Hospital Manipal, Karnataka, India

Social determinants of health, South American perspective

Marcela Ganzella Sisdelli, Registered Nurse, Hemocentro de Ribeirao Preto, Brazil

Personal experiences

Yujie Zuo, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, China

Wajiha Javaid, Finance Secretary, Hemophilia Foundation Pakistan, Pakistan


12:00 – 12:30

BREAK

HOT Topic – Hear me. See me. Believe me. Joint Damage in Women and Girls

Nikole Scappe-Hagen, Manager of Education, National Bleeding Disorders Foundation, United States


12:30 – 13:45

Lack of data collection for women and girls with bleeding disorders – what can we do?

This session will walk us through the initiatives that the WFH has launched to improve data collection for women and girls with bleeding disorders and explain step by step how national member organizations (NMOs) can initiate data collection efforts. The session will also highlight the importance of data collection for advocacy purposes and the use of WFH tools to do so. An overview of how women and girls with bleeding disorders are currently represented in the data will follow together with experiences from different countries on data collection, their use for advocacy and outcomes.

Chair

Donna Coffin, Director, Data and Research, World Federation of Hemophilia, Canada

WFH Global data collection initiatives

Donna Coffin, Director, Data and Research, World Federation of Hemophilia, Canada

What you need to know to initiate data collection

Ellia Tootoonchian, Data and Research Manager, World Federation of Hemophilia, Canada

What role can NMOs play in data collection?

Emna Gouider, Vice-president, National Member Organization, World Federation of Hemophilia, Tunisia

Where and how are women and girls with bleeding disorders represented in the data?

Roshni Kulkarni, Member, Women and Girls with Bleeding Disorders Committee, World Federation of Hemophilia / Professor and Former Director, Michigan State University Centers for Bleeding and Clotting Disorders, United States

Nigerian experience

Megan Adediran, Executive Director, Haemophilia Foundation of Nigeria, Nigeria

Canadian experience

Sarah Ford, Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Hemophilia Society, Canada


13:45 – 13:50

BREAK


13:50 – 14:50

The vital role of NMOs in supporting women and girls with bleeding disorders

During this session the WFH VP NMO will discuss the importance of community when it comes to raising awareness and advocating for women and girls with bleeding disorders and the key role of the NMO as a representative of that community. The session will present examples of services NMOs can offer to women and girls with bleeding disorders and include initiatives within the structure of the NMOs. A number of countries will present about the services they are providing to women and girls with bleeding disorders, how the NMO decided to implement these projects and their outcomes so far.

Chair

Amanda Brito del Pino, Member, Women and Girls with Bleeding Disorders Committee, World Federation of Hemophilia / Volunteer, Hemophilia Association of Uruguay, Uruguay

NMOs and their role in supporting women and girls with bleeding disorders

Emna Gouider, Vice-president, National Member Organization, World Federation of Hemophilia, Tunisia

NMO experience: Kyrgyzstan

Aizat Aidarbekova, Member, Women and Girls with Bleeding Disorders Committee, World Federation of Hemophilia / Volunteer, Kyrgyz Hemophilia Society, Kyrgyzstan

NMO experience: Pakistan

Masood Fareed Malik, Chief Executive Officer, Hemophilia Foundation Pakistan, Pakistan

NMO experience: Australia

Suzanne O’Callaghan, Policy Research and Education Manager, Haemophilia Foundation Australia, Australia

NMO experience: Paraguay

Leticia Benítez, Medical Commission Member, ASOHEMO, Paraguay


14:50 – 15:00

Closing session

Interpretation available in English, Spanish, French, Arabic, Russian, German, Portuguese, Chinese (Mandarin), Hindi and Urdu

All times are listed in eastern daylight time (EDT)

Program is subject to change

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Register now for this free virtual-only event! Registration grants you access to all sessions on September 25 and 26, 2025.

Please contact [email protected] for more registration information.

The WFH can offer events like the Global Summit on WGBD for free thanks to the support given to us by our generous donors. By donating to the WFH, you will be supporting national and global advocacy efforts, so that all people with bleeding disorders—including women and girls—are heard, recognized, and supported.

Your gift makes a difference. Please consider donating today at give.wfh.org

WGBD COMMITTEE

Meet the members of the WGBD Committee:

Dawn Rotellini

Chair

U.S.A.

Marlène Beijlevelt

Vice-chair

The Netherlands

Aizat Aidarbekova

Committee member

Kyrgyzstan

Amanda Brito del Pino

Committee member

Uruguay

Yannick Collé

Committee member

France

Roshni Kulkarni

Committee member

U.S.A.

Anupama Pattiyeri

Committee member

India

Lauren Phillips

Committee member

New Zealand

Tahira Zafar

Committee member

Pakistan

The WGBD Committee would like to thank the WFH VWD Committee, the WFH Nurses Committee, and the WFH Psychosocial Committee for their support in developing the following sessions:

  • The unknown impact of iron deficiency in WGBD
  • The role of culture in WGBD management: how to recognize and respond
  • Barriers societies face in discussing female topics openly

RELEVANT RESOURCES

Relevant resources

Interested in catching up on the latest webinars and educational resources by the WFH on women and girls with bleeding disorders? View recordings of select sessions on the WFH eLearning platform.

FAQs

Q
Who would benefit from attending the Global summit on WGBD?
A
  • WFH NMO leaders and advocates
  • Healthcare professionals
  • National governments
  • Other organizations representing the interests of people with bleeding disorders
  • Regional and global government agencies (such as the WHO, etc.) and partner organizations
  • Industry representatives
  • Researchers and any individuals with interest in the field of bleeding disorders
Q
Will recordings be made available after the event?
A

All sessions will be made available on demand for 90 days following the event.

Q
Will there be live interpretation?
A

The event will be in English and will feature AI interpretation in Spanish, French, Arabic, Russian, German, Portuguese, Chinese (Mandarin), Hindi, and Urdu.

Q
When will I receive my login information to access the virtual event?
A

Login information will be sent to all registered attendees on September 22, 2025.

Please contact [email protected] for more information.

WGBD NEWS

WFH International Women’s Day Webinar 2026

International Women’s Day: WFH to host webinar on pregnancy-related bleeding

In celebration of International Women’s Day, the World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH) is hosting a webinar focused on postpartum hemorrhage and other pregnancy-related bleeding. The online event will take place on Friday, March 6, from 8:00 to 9:30 EST, and is organized by the WFH Women and Girls with Bleeding Disorders Committee....
The program is here! Get all the details on the 4th WFH Global Summit on WGBD

The program is here! Get all the details on the 4th WFH Global Summit on WGBD

We’re excited to announce that the program for the 4th WFH Global Summit on Women and Girls with Bleeding Disorders is now available! ...
Registration open: 4th WFH Global Summit on Women and Girls with Bleeding Disorders

Registration open: 4th WFH Global Summit on Women and Girls with Bleeding Disorders

Registration is now open for the 4th WFH Global Summit on Women and Girls with Bleeding Disorders (WGBD)! Taking place virtually on September 25 to 26, 2025, this two-day event will bring together people with bleeding disorders, families, healthcare providers, national member organization (NMO) advocates, and other stakeholders for a global exchange of knowledge, lived experience, and best practices....

SPONSORS

The 4th WFH Global Summit on Women and Girls with Bleeding Disorders is supported by funding from:

Disclaimer

The information on the WFH website is provided for general information purposes only. The WFH does not engage in the practice of medicine and under no circumstances recommends particular treatment for specific individuals. For diagnosis or consultation on a specific medical problem, the WFH recommends that you contact your physician or local treatment centre. Before administering any products, the WFH urges patients to check dosages with a physician or hemophilia centre staff, and to consult the pharmaceutical company’s printed instructions.

While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information on this site, the WFH does not guarantee the information is accurate, and is not responsible in any way whatsoever for damages arising out of the use of this website or any of the information contained herein.

Messages posted to WFH discussion forums, Facebook, Twitter, and other social media platforms do not represent the opinions of the World Federation of Hemophilia, its staff, or Board of Directors. The author of a message is solely responsibility for its content. Information posted on WFH social networks and platforms should never be a substitute for individualized professional medical advice, even when the author has medical qualifications or is considered an authority. Information posted to a discussion group should not be used to diagnose or treat a specific health problem without consulting a qualified healthcare professional. The WFH recommends that you contact your physician or local treatment centre if you have any individual questions or concerns.

References and links to other websites or references to other organizations, products, services, or publications do not constitute endorsement or approval by the WFH. The WFH is not responsible and assumes no liability for the content of any linked websites.

Fraud Alert

Unauthorized solicitations – Warning

The WFH has been made aware of various correspondences—circulated via e-mail and telephone—coming from individuals impersonating WFH staff or falsely stating that they are associated with the WFH. These correspondences, which may seek to obtain money using the name of someone affiliated with the WFH, are fraudulent and come from outside of our organization.

If you receive a suspicious solicitation, exercise extreme caution. In the case of an email, look at the email address to see if it looks suspicious (for example, all WFH emails come from @wfh.org).

We are asking you to remain vigilant, and if you have any doubts about the correspondence, please forward the email to the WFH at [email protected] or call +1 514-875-7944.