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In partnership with:

 

The LadyBugs program empowers women ages 16+ with SHEmophilia who are diagnosed with a clotting factor/platelet deficiency, care for someone, or carry any other bleeding disorder. The program’s goal is to assist women to find their voice when it comes to decision making about the health of themselves and their loved ones.

Our goal is to provide education about medical developments, advocacy skill building, stress management techniques and more to encourage women to recognize that their health is equally important.

GOLD SPONSOR

SILVER SPONSOR

 
 

BRONZE SPONSORS

HEMA BIOLOGICS

Kedrion Biopharma

Medexus Pharma

Friend Sponsors
TBA

Scheduled: April 24-26, 2026

Location:
Colonial Williamsburg

Registration: CURRENTLY OPEN!
Applications received after March 1, 2026 will be immediately waitlisted if we are at capacity. 

Sign Up For LadyBugs 2026 Here
 

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Why a Ladybug?

Ladybugs actually bleed from their knees when threatened. As a defense mechanism, the ladybug secrets a foul-tasting, yellow fluid from their knee joints to deter predators.

 

History of the LadyBugs Foundation

Barb Forss founded the LadyBugs Foundation in 1998 after she was diagnosed with FVII deficiency. A diagnosis that led her on a medical journey of nearly forty years to achieve after being told mostly by male doctors, that women do not bleed.

She recognized the need for women to network with other women with bleeding disorders to provide them the education needed to advocate for themselves. Barb has continued her work through empowering presentations at the chapter, national and international level.

 

Continuing The Legacy

CHES is proud to call Barb a long-standing friend.  We have collaborated on many projects and created the very first weekend long program for families affected by FVII deficiency; fulfilling a long time dream for Barb.  At its’ core, LadyBugs remains a program uniquely tailored to the needs of women with bleeding disorders, carriers and mothers’ of children with a bleeding disorder.

CHES endeavors at this time to carry on Barb’s legacy as the new providers of the LadyBugs Program.  We are honored to continue her work on behalf of all women with bleeding disorders (WWBD).  The LadyBugs program empowers women to find their voice when it comes to decision making about the health of themselves and their loved ones.  The goal of our weekend-long program is to provide education about medical developments, advocacy skill building, stress management techniques and more to encourage women to recognize that their health is equally important.

FAQs - LIVE MEETINGS

Who can attend?

The LadyBugs program is designed for women 16 and older who are mothers, caretakers, siblings and women with a bleeding disorder. U.S. residents only.

How much does it cost to attend?

In the past, there have been no costs associated to attend.  Travel related expenses including tolls, mileage and parking were reimbursed, and air transportation was arranged for participants.

With tighter budgets and stricter industry guidelines, air travel costs for participants is becoming more difficult to cover.  We cannot yet disclose the actual cost for participants, if any, of this program.  But we are currently working hard to make this program as affordable as possible. If you wish to attend, we strongly urge you to register (during open-registration) ASAP for the best financially affordable outcome. You may cancel at a later time if any required costs are not conducive to your financial reach.

For more info about our grant coverage, please view our policies and guidelines.

Will the location be accessible to wheelchairs and other mobility devices?
Absolutely!

Will child care be available?
Due to limited funding, childcare will NOT be provided at this time.

What about patient confidentiality?
Information that you share or hear will be treated with the utmost respect and never disclosed without your permission.  We want participants to feel comfortable so that we may support one another.