Our Board of Directors are responsible for the governance of the organization and work closely with our staff. The board members and executive director meet monthly to discuss the direction, governance, programs, services, and support for the organization and its members. We accept applications at any time and review as new board positions become available. If you are interested in applying for a board position or have any questions, please download the application or contact the Chapter at: info@bda-sc.org.
“The best part of being on the BDASC board is helping turn awareness into real support for individuals and families living with bleeding disorders. It’s incredibly meaningful to work alongside passionate advocates and know our efforts create connection, education, and hope in the community. “
Hello there my name is Shelley and it’s so good to be back on the board!! A little about myself: I’m married, have 3 kids, a dog and 2 turtles. I became a member of BDASC in 2015, after my son Lucas was diagnosed with Severe Hemophilia A at 18 months old. I wanted to learn as much as I could and being apart of the chapter has taught me so much! I have made so many friends and have gained so much knowledge! I am committed to continue to learn and become a stronger advocate for my community!
“Serving on the board is an uplifting and amazing experience of getting to help and support others in the community while learning just how much goes into making everything possible. Just being able to share and help those who need it, and ensure the community’s future, means more to me than anything else.”
Candi Mitchum resides in Batesburg, SC with her veteran husband and three children. Candi and her husband operate a landscaping business. Candi discovered she had Von Willebrand disease in her late twenties after a major bleed. Since her diagnosis she has discovered her son has VWD as well.
Candi has a passion for advocating for others who cannot advocate for themselves. She plans to use the time she serves on the board to help welcome other newly diagnosed families and individuals to find their way into the BDASC community.
“Serving on the board is super fulfilling. It makes you feel part of something so much bigger than yourself.”
Taylor resides in the Upstate in the quant town of Belton, SC. At the age of 8, Taylor was diagnosed with Von Willebrand disease. She has spent most of her life proving she can live life without letting her disorder hold her back. As a teenager she watched her sister advocate for her while learning about her disorder which has given her the ambition to fight hard for those affected. Having the desire to start a family of her own is what has really driven Taylor to want to help people understand Von Willebrand disease and expand the research. Taylor has recently been diagnosed as Type 1C after being diagnosed with Type 3 for over ten years. She is excited to be a part of BDASC to share her story, encourage others to advocate for themselves by sharing the tools she has, and continue to grow her own knowledge. Taylor attended Tri-County Technical College in general studies and is currently a Territory Manager for Southland Consultants/Owl Music Company. She lives with her husband Jonathan, and her stepdaughter Sadie.
“I am honored to serve on the board for the Bleeding Disorders Association of South Carolina. I feel like I am able to provide helpful insight due to the similar struggles I have had with trying to access medications while having a rare disorder. I volunteer in hope I may ease another patients struggles.”
Virginia Maxwell is a mom of three and the Co-founder and Director of Patient Advocacy and Engagement for the PRP Foundation. Since 2016, she has been a passionate voice in the rare disease community, working to support and empower patients and families. Virginia brings heart and dedication to everything she does—and when she’s not advocating, she enjoys live music, golf, and spending time with her family.
“As a member of the board, I am honored to be a voice of persons with bleeding disorders and humbled as part of a great team that holds our community together.”
New to the board in 2021, Christine and her family reside in Columbia and relocated many years ago from their home country of Kenya. Christine has been a long-time member of the Chapter with family affected by severe hemophilia. She works as a Registered Nurse within the Mental Health field and has a strong desire to improve the mental health needs of the Bleeding Disorder community.
2021 Ambassador of the Year
“I have felt honored to be on this board. It gave me the opportunity to help the community with all the issues we face and help whoever needs it. To be on this board at first may seem scary, but everyone makes you feel welcome. There is no opinion discarded. I felt being on this board I was contributing not only my time but actively helping where I could. It really gives you a sense of accomplishment that your input is valued. We need your voices and opinions. “
Sherlene Maloy lives in Summerville, SC and has been a lifetime member of the organization. She has a family history of hemophilia and a son affected. Susie, as she calls herself, has a strong passion for educating others about bleeding disorders and advocating. She is the recipient of the 2021 Ambassador of the Year Award of BDASC and its Advocacy Coalition. Susie loves volunteering for the Chapter and helping make a difference in the lives of community members affected by bleeding disorders in South Carolina.
Board Member of the Year 2023
“When I first got my son with Hemophilia of South Carolina, he enjoyed it so much and it helped me a lot to cope with what I was going on with him. I felt like I wanted to give back to them and that’s why I decided I wanted to get on the board. I didn’t have any extra money to give, but I had my time. I really enjoy being on the board to help others.”
Edna lives in Winnsboro, South Carolina. She has a daughter and an adult son who lives with Glanzmann’s Thrombasthenia. Edna worked in manufacturing for over 30 years and then worked in home health care and for the board of disabilities for South Carolina for another eleven years. She is now retired and loves assisting the Bleeding Disorders Association of South Carolina Chapter and their members. Edna loves listening to music and dancing in her spare time.
“Serving on the board is an honor that allows me to give back to the community that continues to shape and inspire me. As one of the youngest members and the video editor, I’m proud to bring a fresh perspective while using storytelling to amplify our mission and the people we serve.”
Eric is a native from Beaufort, South Carolina who currently lives in Spartanburg, South Carolina. He currently is a Digital Media Producer for Sherman College of Chiropractic in Boiling Springs. Eric was diagnosed with Type A Hemophilia at 6 months old. With it not being common in his family’s history, there was a lot of learning to be done by Eric and his family when it came to living with such a different upbringing than anyone in his family has faced. Outside of being involved in the BDASC community, Eric enjoys simply enjoying life and being open to new opportunities.
“As an older board member of BDASC, I am proud of the accomplishments that our organization has made in bringing awareness to the issues facing individuals in the bleeding disorders community. I want my purpose on the board to be to encourage participation from a very diverse community to further the efforts of increasing awareness and gaining greater access to medication treatment. It is an honor to serve with dedicated individuals that understand the significance of Advocacy and fighting for the underserved families of Bleeding Disorders of South Carolina.”
New to the board in 2021, James and his wife reside in Irmo, South Carolina. James has a daughter that currently attends Georgia State University as a doctoral candidate. He has a family history of Hemophilia with his maternal Grandfather, 2 brothers, nephews, and cousins that lived with severe Hemophilia. Within the Hemophilia community, James participated in an Ambassador Program that focused on improving access to care and diversity. He gained experience and exposure in understanding the challenges that individuals living with Hemophilia face each day. James would like to help with the outreach programming within the community and engagement. Over the past 25 years, James has served as President of his community’s HOA, Mentor with Richland /Lexington School District 5, Chairman of Richland/Lexington Airport District, and Managing Partner of Integrity Tax & Bookkeeping in Columbia. In his spare time, he enjoys traveling and golfing as regular as possible.
“Serving on the board of the Bleeding Disorders Association of South Carolina provides an opportunity to advocate for individuals and families who are too often overlooked within our healthcare system. Rare bleeding disorders present complex challenges, and those affected frequently encounter barriers to timely diagnosis, appropriate treatment, and informed care. My goal is to strengthen advocacy efforts, elevate awareness, and help ensure that our community is represented in conversations that directly impact their health and quality of life.”
Dustin resides in Westminster, South Carolina in Oconee County with his wife and two sons. His wife Jessica and oldest son both live with Von Willebrand Disease Type 2M, giving him a firsthand understanding of the realities families face when navigating a rare and often misunderstood condition.
Through personal experience, Dustin has witnessed the consequences of delayed diagnosis, gaps in provider education, and the challenges individuals face when their conditions are not fully understood within clinical settings. These experiences have shaped his commitment to advancing education, improving awareness, and advocating for stronger support systems for both patients and families. He is particularly focused on empowering newly diagnosed individuals, improving provider knowledge, and ensuring that no patient feels dismissed or unheard.
With many years of leadership experience, Dustin brings a strategic, solutions-driven approach to his role on the board. He leverages his background in leadership and technology to enhance organizational effectiveness, expand outreach, and support initiatives that drive meaningful change. Dustin is committed to advancing policies, strengthening advocacy, and ensuring that the bleeding disorders community across South Carolina has a clear, informed, and impactful voice.
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“Serving on the Board of Directors for the bleeding disorders community is an absolute honor. Helping guide the future for those we love and cherish and lending a voice to advance this community forward is both meaningful and necessary. What you receive in return for your service is something that cannot be captured in just a few words. It is a heart forever full and the knowledge that a day of service can truly change someone’s life. “
Suzanne (Sue) Martin, Executive Director and Ex-Officio Board Member. The NHF 2016 Award of Excellence, Advocate of the Year.
Sue is the chief administrative officer for BDASC and as such, is responsible for the management and supervision of all operations in accordance with the intent of the board of directors, and consistent with the organization’s by-laws and state regulations. She has been in Chapter services for over 3 decades since the diagnosis of hemophilia in her three sons, with no known family history. She has a degree in Health and Human Services / Child Development, and prior to her time in chapter services, she worked with the developmentally challenged for the state of California and was a small business owner for 17 years. Sue has led the organization to receive several national awards which includes being recognized as a Five-Star Chapter of Excellence of the National Hemophilia Foundation (NHF), 2016 NHF Award of Distinction in Communications – Website Design and Outreach Video, NHF 2019 Award of Distinction Health Education and John Indence, Award of Excellence – Bleeding Disorders Awareness month, and the 2020 Hemophilia Federation of America Chapter Spotlight Award. Sue is a co-author of the National Research Blueprint for inherited bleeding disorders featured in the Expert Review of Hematology. She is a member of the Chapter Services Organization (CSO), which represents over 45 bleeding disorders organizations in the US, and is a member of several working groups of the National Bleeding Disorders Foundation and Hemophilia Federation of America. Sue has a strong passion for advocacy and access to quality treatment care, and is a leading member of the Chapter’s State Advocacy Coalition. “I love to see individuals find their voice and watch them grow within their bleeding disorders journey. I am blessed to call this community my extended family”. Sue resides in Greer and enjoys boating and an outdoor lifestyle in her spare time with her husband, 5 children and 11 grandchildren. She can be reached at Sue.martin@bda-sc.org or 864-350-9941.
Samantha is a full-time employee, Engagement & Development Manager, responsible for Social Media and Marketing for events and campaigns that are being hosted by BDASC. She utilizes social media and e-newsletters to encourage the bleeding disorder community of South Carolina to be active participants in the Chapter through educational and advocacy events. Samantha has been part of the BDASC community since April of 2021 and a part of the global bleeding disorder community since 2015 when her daughter was diagnosed with VonWillebrand disease with no known family history. She has a degree in Computer Graphics Technology from Purdue University and until recently she was a stay-at-home mom to her three children. “I enjoy engaging with the community, even virtually. I felt like I had a purpose in the bleeding disorder community since Daphne was diagnosed. I’m excited to help out BDASC in any way that I can.” Samantha resides in Summerville and enjoys exploring all the amazing things the low country has to offer with her three kids and her husband.
James Romano is a contract employee and consultant for BDASC as is the founder of Care & Cure Partners. Care & Cure Partners works to advance the advocacy, nonprofit, fundraising and government relations needs of their clients. James has over 25 years’ experience working with nonprofit organizations in a government relations and advocacy capacity. Throughout his eventful career, James has worked for a Member of Congress, nonprofit organizations and a Washington, DC lobbying firm. James brings this experience to the benefit of the Care & Cure Partners clients.
James began his career in patient advocacy at the age of 19. As a freshman in college, James skipped class and went to Capitol Hill, where he advocated for the passage of the Ricky Ray Hemophilia Relief Fund Act (Public Law 105-369) on behalf of the Hemophilia Community and his family members with the blood clotting disorder. Because of his family members with rare and chronic conditions. James devoted his professional life to advancing public policy to removing barriers to access of needed health care.
In 2005, James became the Director of Government Relations and Advocacy at Patient Services Incorporated. From that position, James built relationships with multiple state and federal policymakers as well as nonprofit organizations. James focused on issues involving health insurance coverage and access to treatments and therapies including promoting the charitable assistance model. James is an expert on patient assistance issues.
Jim Lane has been the organization’s accounting and bookkeeping specialist for the past 10 years and is the owner of Lane Financial Services in Greenville.
Richard is the organization’s webmaster and is responsible for the maintenance and design communications of the website. He is the owner of Blotter.com.
At the Bleeding Disorders Association of South Carolina (BDASC), we believe achieving our mission starts with being a diverse, equitable, and inclusive organization. These values guide our efforts to address health inequities, reduce disparities, and support the needs of our community.
We value the diverse backgrounds of our board, staff, and those we serve. We strive for leadership that reflects our community and fosters equity by recognizing and addressing systemic barriers to care and opportunity.
Inclusion means ensuring every member feels seen, heard, and valued. We work toward this through inclusive policies, listening sessions, educational efforts, and celebrating the cultural experiences of our community.
This commitment is reflected in our logo: arms embracing a central blood drop to symbolize unity, warmth, and strength. The design reflects our all-inclusive mission to serve every individual in South Carolina affected by bleeding disorders—without bias or barriers. No matter where you are or what bleeding disorder you face, you belong at BDASC.
Our Mission is to raise awareness for and advocate on behalf of persons with bleeding disorders and their families; provide education and supportive services; and promote ongoing research to improve the quality of life for those affected.
Our Vision is to be recognized as a leading organization providing valued services; as ambassadors of public outreach to enlighten and foster an understanding of what matters most to those affected by hemophilia and bleeding disorders; and to be our community’s first choice in partnership to achieve their highest potential through empowerment, connection to their community, and being part of the solutions that affect them the most, until a cure is achieved.
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Each year Hemophilia Federation of America honors the service of special individuals who have gone above and beyond in support of the bleeding disorders community. HFA’s 2020 awards were presented during a virtual ceremony on Aug. 25, 2020. HFA celebrates these individuals.
HFA wishes to recognize a member organization with a true passion for service to their community. This award honors an organization that has created an environment within their membership that engages members, continually promotes education and consistently encourages self-advocacy.
Bleeding Disorders Association of South Carolina continually goes above and beyond for their members, especially given that they only have one staff person — Executive Director Sue Martin. Their South Carolina Hemophilia and Bleeding Disorders Advocacy Coalition has allowed BDASC to advocate across their large state.
Bleeding Disorders Association of South Carolina travels state-wide to meet with their members and provide services and events. They are known to be the most family-like chapter, greeting with hugs and support for each other while teaching self-advocacy with their ambassador programming, education and supportive services.
BDASC is proud to recognize this strong family-friendly organization. Way to go Sue Martin!
Bleeding Disorders Association of South Carolina is a proud recipient of the Partnership Chapter of Excellence Award in recognition of our organization’s participation in shared initiatives, trainings, and programs of NBDF (formerly NHF) and our commitment to the relevance and vitality of our national chapter network as we work together to improve the lives of the bleeding disorders community.
Bleeding Disorders Association of South Carolina is a proud recipient of the Programs & Services Chapter of Excellence Award in recognition of our organization’s commitment to serving individuals affected by bleeding disorders through education, community, care, and connection. Visit our chapter’s Program & Services page to learn more about our variety of available programs & services.
Bleeding Disorders Association of South Carolina has been awarded the prestigious Advocacy & Public Policy Chapter of Excellence Award by NBDF in recognition of our commitment to advocacy and education initiatives both at the state and local level, aimed at improving the lives of those in the bleeding disorders community. Scoring in the top 15% of Chapters who participated in the review process, we are thrilled to have received this honor. We thank our legislators, treatment centers, stakeholders, families we serve, industry partners, and volunteers for helping us reach this great milestone. Learn how you can help make a difference—join our advocacy efforts today!
Bleeding Disorders Association of South Carolina has been awarded the prestigious Board Governance & Leadership Chapter of Excellence Award in recognition of our organization’s commitment to building strong, engaged, mission-focused leadership.”
Bleeding Disorders Association of South Carolina is proud to have received the Fundraising & Development Chapter of Excellence Award in recognition of our commitment to the overall financial health of our organization and the implementation of a fundraising and development infrastructure that will continue to propel us in improving the lives of those in the bleeding disorders community through access to care, education, and advocacy opportunities. We were excited to score in the top 15% of all Chapters reviewed in the above categories. We thank the National Bleeding Disorders Foundation for their partnership and leadership. Learn more about our fundraisers!
The John Indence Award is a special award that recognizes a chapter’s exceptional work elevating advocacy issues, raising awareness, and funds during Bleeding Disorders Awareness Month through World Hemophilia Day and state-based advocacy season. The award is named in honor of John Indence, VP of Marketing and Communications at NBDF, who was the architect of the Red Tie Campaign and was deeply committed to elevating public awareness of the Bleeding Disorders community.
We were proud to have our Executive Director, Sue Martin receive the National Award of Excellence in Advocacy at the 2016 National Bleeding Disorders Foundation’s Annual Meeting in Florida. 
“Without the support of the Board of Directors and our incredible bleeding disorders community and their volunteer services, this award would never be possible. I am honored and proud to serve our Chapter, especially in our Collective Advocacy Efforts”. ~ Sue Martin
This award recolonizes effective, creative program in health education that target groups such as women, parents, families, teens and young adults. Learn about our teen programming!
This award recognizes an outstanding communication vehicle that successfully distributes information to the bleeding disorder community.
*All donations are tax-deductible and our Tax ID # is 23-7400632.
We embrace and celebrate diversity, equity, and inclusion; we strive to eliminate health inequities, health disparities, while we endeavor to become a leading organization in our community and the State of South Carolina. We embrace “People Centricity”, bringing our members and their families into the forefront of all we can accomplish together. We embrace research for a cure and support the ongoing efforts of our national organizations and companies striving to find better treatment therapies and one day a cure.
Addressing Bias. To assure that individual and institutional bias do not exclude any members of our organization from full participation in all aspects of the organization’s management, programs, and activities on the same basis.
Centering. We recognize that our organization includes everyone. However, we commit to centering and being particularly sensitive in our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion work to the pain, frustration, and anger of anyone who believes, correctly or incorrectly, that he or she has been a victim of bias.
Transparency. We commit to open, on-going communication to maintain an equitable and inclusive environment. We also commit to receiving and incorporating feedback when we fall short of that effort or lack clarity in our work.
Accountability. We commit to holding ourselves and each other responsible for comments and actions that don’t sit right. We will use “I” statements and verbalize our feelings of discomfort in the moment.
Specificity. We recognize that some policies and procedures may have unintended negative effects on our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts. We commit, therefore, to careful consideration of the consequences of any new policy or procedure and to evaluating existing policies and procedures in order to identify the impact of specific policies on all of our members.
Realistic. We acknowledge the possibility that the process to address Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion might not immediately address all challenges that our organization, employees, and community could face, while also recognizing that those challenges may affect our ability to meet Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion goals. We also recognize that the environment outside of our work, such as systems that drive inequalities, will likely continue to evolve. We commit to being nimble in our efforts to address the most pressing needs of the current time.
Values. We understand our values and Standards of Behavior and will work to center those Values and Standards on equity and inclusion. We remain open to suggestions for changes to either value statements or standards of behavior.
Acceptance. We acknowledge and accept that the organization that exists at the beginning of this process might be different than the one we become at the end. We welcome this journey.
Empathy. We will listen to the stories of those who might have been marginalized and will not deny their lived experiences. Their stories are not subjective. Their stories are true, and likely reflect others’ experiences who are unable to be vocal or do not feel safe.
Individualism. We agree not to fall into the trap of tokenizing. We value individualism and acknowledge that one person does not represent the beliefs and actions or lived experiences of an entire group.
Bleeding Disorders Association of South Carolina (BDASC) is a 501 (C) 3 Non-Profit organization and is a Chapter of the National Bleeding Disorders Foundation (NBDF) and a Member Organization of Hemophilia Federation of America (HFA). In 2021, BDASC officially changes it name from Hemophilia of South Carolina (HSC) to Bleeding Disorders Association of South Carolina (BDASC) to reflect a more inclusive name of the people we serve and whom are part of our membership. BDASC was founded in 1973 by a group of parents interested in promoting awareness, providing group support, and assisting other national hemophilia organizations. The organization for 42 years existed as all-volunteer; providing programs and education, support services, and advocacy for access to care at the state’s capitol and in Washington.
Today, BDASC serves all 46 counties in the state, currently providing education and support services to over 1,400 individual members and their families. BDASC provides the most current information, support services, and education related to all bleeding disorders, including treatment therapies, health care access, and advocacy awareness. The organization today has one full time executive director and part-time assistance with member engagements, events and operations, and a legislative advocacy consultant. BDASC relies on the strong volunteer base of its membership.
BDASC is a Chapter of the National Bleeding Disorders Foundation www.bleeding.org
BDASC is member organization of Hemophilia Federation of America and received the 2020 Chapter Spotlight of the Year award at the HFA Symposium.
Bleeding Disorders Association of South Carolina is a registered non-profit organization of Greenville County and a member of the Greenville Chamber.
