BDAN is a proud member and support organization for the New York State Bleeding Disorders Coalition. The NYSBDC is a coalition of bleeding disorders patient community organizations and specialty treatment centers from across New York State. In addition to the annual Bleeding Disorders Awareness Month outreach and our Albany Days Advocacy Program in the NYS State Capitol, NYSBDC works year round to help the bleeding disorders community month stay engaged in developments which affect the care we need and help the community advocate for better acccess to affordable, quality care. More about NYSBDC

BDAN is proud to be the organizational home of the New York State Rare Disease Collaborative. People with bleeding disorders have come a long way over the past 50 years thanks to research, support, and advocacy. NYSRDC is our way of sharing what we've learned with others affected by rare diseases to help them advocate at the state level for research, treatment, access, and support. At BDAN and NYSRDC we believe when decisions are made which affect us we should be partners in those decisions. More about NYSRDC.

Understanding a bleeding disorder can be tough, especially for a child. That’s where the Bruzer Buddies come in!

Created by Jessica Graham, the Bruzer Buddies are more than a soft plush companion. Bruzer Buddies are designed to be interactive educational tools created to make learning about bleeding symptoms safe, simple, and reassuring for the whole family.

Designed with a Purpose

Every detail on a Bruzer Buddy is crafted to bridge the gap between medical concepts and child-friendly understanding:

• Embroidered Medical Alert Bracelet: Normalizes wearing vital medical identification early on, teaching children the importance of staying safe and prepared.

• Tactile Symptom Features: Cleverly designed elements help illustrate what a bleed feels like, including warmth, swelling, and pain/tenderness, making abstract physical sensations easy to talk about and recognize.

A Friend for the Whole Community

Bruzer Buddies aren't just for kids; they are built to empower everyone in a child's circle:

• For Children: They offer comfort while building early self-advocacy skills, helping kids learn how to identify and communicate early warning signs to adults.

• For Parents & Caregivers: They serve as a practical, hands-on teaching aid to start open, stress-free conversations about health management.

• For Teachers, Sitters & Friends: They work as a friendly icebreaker to educate coaches, educators, and family members who may be unfamiliar with bleeding disorders, ensuring everyone knows what signs to look for.

To learn more about the Bruzer Buddy and ask how you might be able to receive some for your educational event, contact info@bdaninc.org  

"Connecting comfort with education, helping little ones recognize the signs, speak up, and feel supported every step of the way.” 

The Ziggy Stick Programs: Storytelling, Community & Recognition

Rooted in the timeless power of oral traditions and community gatherings, the Ziggy Stick activities created by Bob Graham offer a hands-on, tangible way for groups to bond, celebrate milestones, and preserve their shared history. Whether used at youth camps, family retreats, or community leadership events, these programs use physical devices to make personal growth, self-advocacy, and group connection real and lasting.

All Ziggy Stick formats are adaptable to fit the goals, age groups, and culture of your program.

Core Program Formats

1. Ziggy Story Sticks (Personal Connection & Advocacy)

• The Concept: Participants receive an 18-inch natural wood stick with a pre-sanded face to personalize using symbols, drawings, beads, leather lacing, and feathers.

• How It Works: As participants design their sticks, organic conversations happen—helping strangers break the ice and old friends catch up. At the end of the workshop, volunteers share their sticks and explain the story behind their design choices.

• Adaptations: Beyond general group bonding, Story Sticks are easily adapted for Advocacy Workshops (practicing how to tailor one's story for public speaking) or Spirit Builders (adding milestone beads over time).

2. The Original Ziggy Stick (Group Totem & Memory)

• The Concept: A full-sized (4-6 foot) ceremonial walking stick decorated with symbols meaningful to the entire group or community.

• How It Works: Serves as a central talking stick during group ceremonies to recognize achievements, thank mentors, celebrate milestones (like going to college or starting a family), or honor community members who have passed away.

• Creating a Living History: Wooden discs, beads, or charms representing specific people and events are attached to the stick during gatherings, creating an enduring physical legacy that carries forward to future generations.

3. The Big Stick Awards (Celebrating Personal Milestones)

• The Concept: Evolving from the traditional bleeding disorders camp "Big Stick" award, this program recognizes individuals who take significant steps toward self-care, independence, and personal growth.

• How It Works: Recipients earn individual 18-inch "Big Sticks" for reaching key milestones—whether mastering care skills, learning their diagnosis, or overcoming personal challenges like fear of riding a bike.

• The Big Stick Pack: Combine individual award sticks with a full-sized group talking stick and record-keeping discs to run a complete, memorable recognition ceremony for your participants.

Bring the Ziggy Stick to Your Group

Every Ziggy Stick activity is modular. We can help you tailor the materials, timing, and facilitation guides to fit your retreat, camp, or workshop goals.

• Free Hand-Crafted Sticks for Camps: A limited number of hand-crafted Ziggy Sticks are available for community camp programs willing to share pictures and videos of the sticks in action. (Please allow 4–8 weeks lead time for hand-made orders).

Interested in adapting a Ziggy Stick program for your organization? Contact Bob Graham at bobgraham04@msn.com to discuss ideas for your group.

Since 2005 BDAN has hosted and helped at a number of retreat programs for people affected by bleeding disorders and other rare diseases. Our Spring Work Retreat in May was a success and our Fall FAmily Retreat has been postponed for 2026. Currently we're planning on a 2027 Spring Retreat and possibly a late summer/early fall program. Contact us for more details!