Bleeding Disorders Conference

NBDF welcomes speakers from a variety of backgrounds and areas of expertise. You may apply if:

• You or a loved one lives with a bleeding disorder.
• You work with or support people impacted by a bleeding disorders*.
• You have personal, professional, or community expertise that could benefit the bleeding disorders community.

*Applications from individuals employed by pharmaceutical companies or specialty pharmacy partners will not be considered.

Please note: Session proposals should be focused on the needs, interests, and priorities of the bleeding disorders community. Proposals intended primarily to promote or highlight a specific organization, company, product, or service will not be considered.

We welcome and encourage collaboration with organizations and companies, but sessions should provide meaningful education, discussion, or resources for the community rather than focus solely on one organization or company. The intent of the Call for Sessions is to create programming that addresses community needs and offers valuable, broadly applicable information and perspectives.

Additional requirements:

• Sessions may have a maximum of 2 speakers when a clear need is demonstrated for what each of the two speakers bring to the session.
• Bleeding Briefs are limited to 1 speaker due to the shorter session format.
• Speakers must live in the United States or its territories.
• The main applicant must be at least 18 years old. Speakers who are minors may be included as long as the main applicant is their parent, caregiver, or chaperone.
• Applicants may submit a maximum of 2 session proposals.

NBDF is interested in sessions that provide meaningful, practical, and relevant information to improve the lives of people living with bleeding disorders and their support networks.

Sessions may be designed for a general consumer audience, a specific community or audience, or the new Chapter Track, introduced this year.

Examples of audiences represented at BDC include:

• People with hemophilia A or hemophilia B
• People with von Willebrand disease
• People with ultra-rare factor deficiencies
• People with platelet disorders
• People with inhibitors
• Women and men
• Spouses and partners
• Teens and young adults
• Children
• Parents and caregivers
• Spanish-speaking community members
• People exploring identities that intersect with a bleeding disorder, including LGBTQI+, BIPOC, Asian American and Pacific Islander, Latino and Hispanic, Muslim American, and other communities
• Chapter Executive Directors
• Chapter Support Staff
• Chapter Board Members

We are also open to proposals that address other audiences or emerging needs within the community.

Consumer and Chapter sessions should be presented in plain language and should not be overly scientific or clinical. Proposed sessions may be presented in English or Spanish.

Please note: This Call for Sessions is specifically for Consumer and Chapter Tracks. It is not intended for physician, nurse, social worker, or physical therapist sessions.

BDC 2027 will offer specific session types and lengths. Applicants will be asked to select the type of session they are proposing and should develop their proposal within the guidelines below.

Before submitting, please take time to thoughtfully consider whether your topic is the right fit for the session format you are selecting. The length of the session is important, but the content, objectives, and overall participant experience are most important to consider. If you'd like to talk through your idea or have any questions, we're happy to help before the submission deadline.

Bleeding Briefs — 30 minutes

Fast-paced sessions featuring a 15-minute presentation or community member story, followed by a 15 minute interactive Q&A with the audience.

*Due to the limited time available, Bleeding Briefs sessions are capped at one speaker per session.

Empowerment Edge Workshops — 45 minutes or 1 hour

Hands-on sessions that help participants build practical skills for understanding and managing their bleeding disorder. These sessions may include activities, demonstrations, practice, or other interactive approaches.

Trendline Talks — 1 hour

Sessions focused on current issues, new treatments, emerging topics, and trends affecting the bleeding disorders community. These sessions are designed as panels or speaker presentations followed by a Q&A. Speakers must leave at least 15 minutes for Q&A.

Connect & Care — 1.5 hours

Open and supportive discussions where participants affected by bleeding disorders can connect, share experiences, learn from one another, and explore practical ways to cope and thrive.

NBDF is looking for sessions that are dynamic, engaging, and designed specifically for a consumer or chapter audience. PowerPoint is not required, and not all Consumer rooms will have laptops or projectors. The Chapter Track room does have full AV.

We encourage applicants to think creatively about how to educate and engage participants. Interactive activities, discussions, demonstrations, storytelling, and other innovative approaches are encouraged.

If your session is selected, all speakers will be expected to:

• Participate in 1–2 session planning calls with an assigned NBDF staff liaison during Spring 2027.
• Meet all BDC registration and travel booking deadlines.
• Use NBDF's BDC PowerPoint template if your session includes a presentation.
• Submit all required session materials, including slides, handouts, activities, and other resources, by the designated deadlines.
• Work collaboratively with NBDF staff to ensure the session aligns with BDC’s Consumer or Chapter Track goals and meets inclusion and accessibility standards.

Chapter Track Specific Travel Logistics  

• Due to additional training events offered to Chapters throughout the year, travel and accommodation costs associated with accepted Chapter Track speakers will not be covered.

 NBDF will cover the following for accepted speakers:

• Airfare, or mileage and parking reimbursement up to a set amount for those who request and receive approval to drive. Air travel must be booked through NBDF's online booking platform.
• One hotel night. Exceptions may be approved for an additional night based on flight availability and the timing of the session.
• BDC registration fees, providing access to the full BDC event for all days.

NBDF does not cover:

• Meals or food
• Ground transportation to and from airports
• Honoraria or speaker stipends
• Reimbursement of any BDC registration cancellation fees if you register before hearing back about your Call for Session submission. We will inform you prior to the end of the Early Bird rates, so there is no need to register until you find out about your application. 

There will be opportunities throughout BDC to access food as part of the conference.

Review the application and prepare your session proposal. See a sample Session Lesson Plan here. Submit your application by Friday, November 20, 2026.

NBDF's BDC Planning Committee, made up of NBDF staff and volunteer community members, will review all applications.

Applicants will be notified of decisions by Friday, January 29,2027.

Apply Now

Please contact Nikole Scappe-Hagen at nscappe@bleeding.org.