A special off-series Podcasthon 2026 episode of Beyond the Thesis with Papa PhD
Bleeding disorders charities transform lives across Canada – In this off-series episode, guest host Fiona Robinson — a medical writer and editor specializing in inheritable bleeding disorders — sits down with Sarah Ford, Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Hemophilia Society (CHS).
Together, they explore CHS’s exciting journey, highlighting its 70+ year legacy supporting patients, families, and caregivers with hemophilia A and B, von Willebrand disease, rare factor deficiencies, platelet disorders, women and girls with bleeding disorders, and those without a diagnosis.
Sarah shares insights from community consultations and strategic planning that guide their transformation, the importance of honoring their history—including hemovigilance post-Krever Report—and bold plans for inclusive education, advocacy, and programming through 10 provincial chapters.
Sarah Ford
Fiona Robinson
🔍 In this episode
How CHS meets people “where they’re at” with bilingual resources for new diagnoses and underserved groups
Expansions in gene therapy, novel treatments, and Von Willebrand disease education for shared decision-making
Why advocacy grows amid treatment advances to safeguard multidisciplinary care systems
Easy ways to volunteer, donate, and access treatment centers at hemophilia.ca (redirecting post-June 2026)
The “for the community, by the community” power fueling quality-of-life improvements nationwide
This conversation spotlights CHS’s pivotal role in national healthcare and poses a key question: How can your donation today sustain this vital work?
This episode’s resources:
Thank you, Sarah and Fiona!
If you enjoyed this conversation with Fiona Robinson and Sarah Ford, let them know by clicking the links below and leaving them a message on Linkedin:
Send Sarah Ford a thank you message on Linkedin!
Send Fiona Robinson a thank you message on Linkedin!
Click here to share your key take-away from this interview with David!
You might also like the following episodes:
Jackie H.-Elliott and Jenna M.-Aiken – Redesigning Your Career With a PhD
Michelle Niemeyer – Bending Time, Beating Academic Burnout
Kae Kronthaler-Williams – Navigating Spaces not made for you
Yamina Berchiche – From Bench to Biotech