Understanding the Phases of Childhood, One Milestone at a Time
Parenting a child with hemophilia B comes with unique challenges—but you don’t have to navigate them alone. Join us for an engaging and supportive discussion, co-hosted by two experienced parents and an expert speaker, where you’ll find a safe space to ask questions, share concerns, and connect with others who understand.
Together, we’ll explore topics like managing the emotional impact of a diagnosis, effective communication with providers and educators, strategies to ease anxiety, and ways to build a lasting support system. Whether you're new to the journey or preparing for the next stage, this session will leave you informed, empowered, and supported.
Come as you are—because no parent should have to figure it all out alone.
Expert Speaker: Tiffani P, CHB HOST & Speaker, Meaghan Carty, CSL Behring
Tiffani Pokrajac, RN, CHB Community Host
Tiffani lives in Sylvania, Ohio and is a nurse at the Hemophilia Treatment Center in Toledo, Ohio. She has mild hemophilia, but more importantly she is a hemophilia mom. Of her three boys, one has severe hemophilia B.
After Aleks’ diagnosis in 2019 she knew what her passion would be for the rest of her life. She finds joy in teaching newly diagnosed families how to navigate their new normal and helping kiddos learn to infuse. After she graduates with her BSN this summer, she will again find joy in traveling – Destin being her family’s go-to spot. Tiffani looks forward to meeting new families and helping in any way she can.
Meaghan Carty, CSL Behring
Senior Manager of Coagulation Products, New England
Mom to Logan (22, severe HemB) and Addison (18, mild HemB)
With no prior family history, Meaghan’s first child, Logan, was born with severe hemophilia B—a diagnosis that came as a complete shock. The family was quickly thrust into the challenging and often unpredictable journey of raising a child with a bleeding disorder.
At just 15 months old, Logan underwent surgery to have a port placed for prophylactic treatment, allowing his parents to take a more hands-on approach to his care. Unfortunately, complications arose during surgery, and he developed inhibitors, making his treatment significantly more complex. This turning point led his mother to make the difficult decision to leave her career in the pharmaceutical industry to focus fully on Logan's health needs.
The first decade of Logan’s life was marked by frequent infusions, bleeds, hospital stays, and surgeries. Yet through it all, the family remained grounded in hope, humor, and positivity. With strong support from friends and extended family, they found ways to integrate Logan’s care into their daily routine, making it part of a life filled with love and normalcy.
A major breakthrough came shortly after Logan’s tenth birthday when a new hematologist successfully tolerized him back to routine Factor IX prophylaxis—a significant milestone and a profound relief. Reflecting on the journey, the family wouldn’t change a thing. Living with hemophilia has instilled in them deep empathy, resilience, and a steadfast optimism. Their guiding mantra became: “Tough times don’t last, but tough people do.”