1st Annual Houston Hemophilia Walk

Holding out the tin cup, passing the hat...all that. We're raising money for the Lone Star Chapter of the NHF in the 1st Hemophilia Walk. Houston is one of only 5 cities hosting these inaugural hemophilia walks this year.

Hold on a minute...need to watch Michael Phelps go for gold number 8. Yes! Simply amazing! 8 gold medals, 7 world records, Unbelievable!

Now back to our regularly scheduled programing.

Our team is the Killer B's for Brogan and Buchanan. My Jack and his friend Brandon Buchanan.

Brandon and Jack

Here's the letter we're sending out:

Hi friends and family,

How often do you stub your toe, have a bad fall, or bite your tongue? Chances are these are common experiences in your life. Though painful, they are not life threatening. However, for someone with a bleeding disorder, these events can mean another infusion or a trip to the ER. As you know, our son Jack has severe hemophilia A. He gets three infusions a week to prevent internal bleeding. The cost of the clotting factor that he infuses is about $1.20/unit and he receives over 1900 units (3 times a week). As he grows, so does the amount he will need. He has recently started infusing himself; he learned to do this at hemophilia camp this summer.

The National Hemophilia Foundation (NHF) is an organization dedicated to providing families with the education and support they need to deal with the challenges that come with bleeding disorders. We hope to one day find a cure for this condition, but in the meantime will you help us to continue the work of these organizations?

On Saturday, September 6, 2008, the Lone Star Chapter of the NHF will be participating in a nation-wide fundraising and awareness event. The 1st Annual Houston Hemophilia Walk will be held at Minute Maid Park. Registration begins at 9:00am, with the 3K walk beginning at 10:00am.

We would be honored if you would consider walking with Jack's team, "The Killer B's". You can register online at http://www.active.com/donate/hemophiliaWalkTX/PBrogan2 . There you will be able to click on 'register for this event' in the black tool bar. It costs nothing to walk. If you are not able to join us for the walk, but would like to donate instead, you can click on an amount in the yellow box on the right side of the page. There is no amount too small.

Thank you for your support and we hope to see you at the walk!

Sincerely,

Allison Pohl and Pat Brogan

Plasma provider consolidation

According to a report on Forbes.com CSL Limited announced it is buying Talecris Therapeutics Holdings. CSL, once an Australian governmental body, has been sucking up the competition and complementary businesses for much of the 2000's. In 2000 CSL acquired ZLB Bioplasma AG, then scooped up Aventis Behring in 2004.

Acquiring Talecris, formerly Bayer's plasma products division, CSL has bolstered its position in the plasma market.

Mergers and acquisitions are the nothing new in business and even for us in the bleeding disorders community. But this recent trend of consolidation for both the home health care providers and factor producers coupled with emerging trends in insurance coverage toward sole sourcing and limited choices really necessitates some attention and will require constant vigilance.