In January, Comprehensive Bleeding Disorders Center became the 42nd Member Organization of HFA.

“We are excited about this new relation-ship and what it means for the patients and families we serve specifically here in Cen-tral Illinois,” said John Redington, CBDC’s Executive Director. The affiliation will expand the program-ming and resources that CBDC can offer, including new support groups, assistance, and educational opportunities. In the coming weeks, friends of CBDC will receive further information about how this new relationship will benefit them!

THE DR PLET

CBDC NEWS

CBDC recently developed an educational program specifically for school nurses inter-ested in the basics of bleeding and clotting disorders.

Along with a brief presentation from a CBDC staff member, each school nurse receives a comprehensive package of CBDC pro-gramming, news, a list of “what to look for” and discussion of treatments for students suspected of a bleeding or clotting disorder.

“Our number one goal, in all things, is to be a resource to the community,” said CBDC’s Marketing Coordinator Ryan Hinnen. “The information shared in the presentation and packets act more as an aid for school nurses should any questions arise when a student comes to them with a bleeding problem.”

“Staying at the forefront to raise awareness and educate the public on these conditions is important at every level, but especially at adolescent age,” said Stacey Beuster,

CBDC News continues on page 4

Volume 2 / Issue 3 / WINTER

School Nurses Program Launcheswith Peoria’s District 150

Inside... “Heavy Period? How to Know What is Normal”....................................page 2 2015 Great Bloody Mary Mix Off Details...............................................page 4 Important Dates & Upcoming Events.........................................................page 7

Did you know?CBDC has been a trusted resource for patients, families and communities in

Illinois since 1996!

CBDC is Newest Member Organization of Hemophilia Federation of America

Knowing whether you have a normal or abnormal period is a big deal...your period can effect your quality of life and can be a signal that something more is going on inside of you. In some instances, women with abnormally heavy menstrual bleeding are actually suffering from a bleeding disorder.

So how do you know if your periods are normal? What is “heavy”? The three basic factors used to assess menstrual cycles are frequency, length, and flow.

frequencYNormal menstrual cycles can range from 21-35 days, the average cycle lasts 28 days. To de-termine the frequency of cycles, the first day of menstrual bleeding (Day 1 of cycle) should be noted in a calendar for several cycles to see if a pattern develops. Take note of the last day of the cycle when bleeding begins again. If a woman’s complete cycles are shorter than 21 days or longer than 35 days (on a regular basis), or if she is experiencing bleeding or spotting in between periods, a woman can consider her periods to be “abnormal”. She should be evaluated by her provider.

LengthNormal menstrual bleeding during each cycle

can last 2-7 days, with the average woman’s period lasting 3-5. To determine the length of her period, a woman simply counts the number of days that she bleeds. This should be done for a few cycles to be sure each cycle is similar in length. If a woman has a period lasting less than two days or more than seven days, she can consider her periods to be “abnormal”, and she should seek the consultation of a medical professional.

flowNormal amount of blood loss during a menstrual period is up to 80 mL, with the average period producing 10-35 mL. Measurement of the total amount of blood flow during a menstrual cycle can be difficult unless a woman uses a menstrual cup instead of pads or tampons.

Try estimating the amount of flow by keeping tabs on how many pads/tampons you soak during your period. Completely saturating a normal-sized tampon can be estimated as approximately a 5 mL loss...so saturating up to sixteen normal tampons during the course of your period is considered the very top end of normal.

AnYthing Else?Yep. You should also keep track of how often you change your menstrual products during days of

(Continued on Page 7)

Join CBDC & fuchsia in the conversation about women’s Health and Bleeding or Clotting Disorders.www.compbleed.com/fuchsia

uchsiaf

From the desk of:

Dina witter, RN

CBDC’s Community Health Program Manager.

“Reaching out to school nurses and educa-tors who are likely to recognize these symp-toms and share this information with students and families is a high priority for us.”

If you are interested in a CBDC representa-tive coming to your child’s school, please contact our offices at (888)322-8670. Presentations are also available in Spanish.

Back for round 2 - the 2015 Great Bloody Mary Mix Off will take place on May 17th, from Noon-4p at Limelight Event Plex on Peoria’s north end.

The “Mix Off” is Comprehensive Bleeding

CBDC NEWS (continued)

2015 Great Bloody Mary Mix OffDate & Venue Announced

Disorders Center’s main fundraiser to support all of the Community & Minority Outreach Programming that the Center provides at little or no cost to participants each year.

This year’s event will again pit local bars andrestaurants against each other to deter-mine who makes the best Bloody Marys in Central Illinois.

New this year will be the addition of two more establishments, bringing the total number of competitors to 10.

Patrons will again be able to vote on which bar or restaurant had the “Spiciest”, the “Best Garnished”, and “Best Overall” Bloodies.

More competitor and event details will be made available in the coming days and weeks. Please visit GreatBloodyMaryMixOff.com or follow us on social media for information as it is released.

Tickets are available now via Eventbrite and readers of “The Droplet” can purchase “Early Bird” tickets or 6-packs at a reduced rate by using the promo code “DROPLET15”.

The promo code is valid until 11:59p on Sunday, March 15th.

Social Media Information: facebook.com/theGBMMO twitter.com/theGBMMO instagram.com/theGBMMO Please use #GBMMO2015 when mentioning the event.

CBDC News continues on page 7

Look for CBDC on your favorite social media...

Half the volume

IndicationsALPHANATE® (antihemophilic factor/von Willebrand factor complex [human]) is indicated for:

• Control and prevention of bleeding in patients with hemophilia A

• Surgical and/or invasive procedures in adult and pediatric patients with von Willebrand disease (VWD) in whom desmopressin (DDAVP®) is either ineffective or contraindicated. It is not indicated for patients with severe VWD (Type 3) undergoing major surgery

Important Safety InformationALPHANATE is contraindicated in patients who have manifested life-threatening immediate hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis, to the product or its components.

Anaphylaxis and severe hypersensitivity reactions are possible. Should symptoms occur, treatment with ALPHANATE should be discontinued, and emergency treatment should be sought.

Development of activity-neutralizing antibodies has been detected in patients receiving FVIII containing products. Development of alloantibodies to VWF in Type 3 von Willebrand disease (VWD) patients has been occasionally reported in the literature.

Thromboembolic events may be associated with AHF/VWF Complex (Human) in VWD patients, especially in the setting of known risk factors.

Intravascular hemolysis may be associated with infusion of massive doses of AHF/VWF Complex (Human).

Rapid administration of a FVIII concentrate may result in vasomotor reactions.

Plasma products carry a risk of transmitting infectious agents, such as viruses, and theoretically, the Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) agent, despite steps designed to reduce this risk.

The most frequent adverse events reported with ALPHANATE in >5% of patients are respiratory distress, pruritus, rash, urticaria, face edema, paresthesia, pain, fever, chills, joint pain, and fatigue.

© 2014 Grifols Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in USA. July 2014 A817-0714

References: 1. ALPHANATE® (antihemophilic factor/von Willebrand factor complex [human]) Prescribing Information. Grifols. 2. CSL Behring. Humate P Package Insert. August 2013; 3. Octapharma. Wilate Package Insert. January 2012; 4. Kedrion. Koate-DVI Package Insert. August 2012.

Twice the factor*

Please see brief summary of ALPHANATE full Prescribing Information on adjacent page.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

ALPHANATE® (antihemophilic factor/von Willebrand factor complex [human]) is now available in a 2000 IU FVIII vial with a reconstitution volume of only 10 mL.

That’s TWICE the amount of factor of the largest vial available for other FVIII/VWF products,1-4 so patients may require:

• Less volume

• Less time

• Fewer syringes

Isn’t it time you tried ALPHANATE?

Learn more at alphanate.com

www.grifols.comGrifols Biologicals Inc.5555 Valley Boulevard, Los Angeles, 90032 CA - USA Tel. 888-GRIFOLS (888 474 3657)

www.grifols.com

For more information: Grifols Biologicals Inc. Tel. 888-GRIFOLS (888-474-3657)

*

Comprehensive Bleeding Disorders Center does not endorse or recommend any commercial products, treatments, processes, or services. Third Party Content is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute a recommendation. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with

any questions you may have regarding your health or particular medical condition.

ADVERTISEMENT

Comprehensive Bleeding Disorders Center does not endorse or recommend any commercial products, treatments, processes, or services. Third Party Content is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute a recommendation. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with

any questions you may have regarding your health or particular medical condition.

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continued from page 2

the heaviest flow, note the size of any clots, and the color of your flow from cycle to cycle. Repeatedly soaking a tampon or pad in less than an hour during your cycle, seeing clots that are larger than a quarter, or experienc-ing a change in the usual color of your flow are all signs that you need to discuss your period with a medical professional.

(It should be noted that the color of your flow may vary during a single cycle. Keep track of the color of your flow each day that you are bleeding and compare it to the color of your next periods. A variation is a sign that your period is abnormal)

Keeping tabs on all of this info may seem like a daunting task, but the benefits of knowing your “normal” cannot be taken lightly. You’ll feel confident knowing that your cycle is regular for you and that this part of your body is functioning properly. Likewise, you’ll be able to help identify possible medical conditions that present themselves as changes to your regular cycle. If you are experiencing heavy or abnormal periods, please do not hesitate to call our office and ask to speak with the nurse.

We can be reached M-F, 8-4p @ (309)688-1345.

CBDC NEWS (continued)

Do you know someone with a bleeding or clotting disorder that could use a little extra financial aid for the 2015-16 school year?

Look no further - we are now accepting applications for the 2015 Comprehensive Bleeding Disorders Center Annual Scholar-ship.

There are three $1,500 scholarships avail-able. To learn more please visit us online athttp://www.compbleed.com/resources/cbdc-annual-scholarship/.

Online Application for CBDC’s Scholarhip now OPEN!

CBDC Decatur OpeningComprehensive Bleeding Disorders Center continues to expand its footprint and will begin serving patients and families in our 8th location in March of 2015.

For more details, to set up an appoint-ment, or to refer a patient please visit us on-line at www.compbleed.com, email us at info@compbleed.com or call our Peoria headquarters at (309)688-1345.

February 10th - fuchsia Art of TransitionMarch CBDC Decatur Opens 6th - CBDC Family Night 26-28th - HFA Symposium in St. Louis, MO

April 1st - Scholarship Deadline fuchsia April Event TBAMay 17th -

Important Dates & Upcoming Events

CBDC

CBDC

Comprehensive Bleeding Disorders Center4727 N Sheridan RdPeoria, IL 61614

CBDC FAMILY NIGHT

Please mark your calendars. Friday, March 6th is CBDC Family Night at the Peoria Civic Center as the Peoria River-men take on the Mississippi River Kingsin one of the last matches of the season. Join us for an educational dinner and complimentary tickets to BleedingDisorders Awareness Night at the hockey game.

For more information, please contact us at (309)688-1345.

THE DR PLET WINTER 2015