Bleeding and Clotting Disorders Institute

✨🎪 BCDI Family Day is in full swing!! 🎪✨

Our patients and their families are joining us for a day full of carnival fun, education from our expert staff, and delicious food from local vendors!

BCDI Family Day is this Saturday! This is your last chance to sign up for this premier event which is for BCDI patients and their close family members to attend FOR FREE! Join us at the BCDI Carnival on Saturday, July 20 at the BCDI campus from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. for a day full of education, activities and games, and great food!

If you are interested in attending in person or would like to virtually attend for the educational sessions, we require you to sign up to attend. To learn more about Family Day or to register, visit https://cbo.io/bidapp/index.php?slug=familyday24 now!

Let your voice be heard! If you or a loved one receive care at BCDI, we want to hear from you on how we can improve! With the BCDI Consumer Advisory Board, you have the opportunity to come together and share ideas that may help the bleeding and clotting disorders community.

Are you interested in joining the BCDI Consumer Advisory Board and want to learn more? Please visit https://ilbcdi.org/get-involved/consumer-advisory/.

One week from today, BCDI welcomes our community to Family Day 2024! All BCDI patients and their close family members are invited to join us at the BCDI campus on Saturday, July 20 from 11am - 4pm for a full day of education, carnival games and activities, and food. Take a look at some of the fun activities in the attached graphic!

It it FREE to attend BCDI Family Day, but you are required to sign up to attend. If you can't attend in person, you can sign up to participate in the educational sessions as well! To learn more about BCDI Family Day and to register to attend in person or virtually, visit https://cbo.io/bidapp/index.php?slug=familyday24.

BCDI’s team of dentists are experts in treating children and adults with oral bleeding problems. Persons with bleeding disorders need to take specific safety measures when they are preparing for dental procedures. BCDI’s dentists play an important role in our comprehensive care model, working with the BCDI care team to develop treatment plans for your continued care.

To learn more about BCDI's dentists and our comprehensive care team, please visit https://ilbcdi.org/about-us/our-team/clinical-care-team/.

The inaugural BCDI Golf Outing is coming up on Thursday, August 29 at Mt. Hawley Country Club! You won't want to miss this event, which is a four-person scramble format and will tee-off at 10 a.m.

There will be contests, games, prizes or giveaways at each hole, golfers will have access to unique BCDI raffle baskets, lunch will be provided, plus an award ceremony with heavy hors d'oeuvres and opportunities to network with BCDI staff after the round of golf!

Don't wait, foursomes are selling out fast! Space is limited and this event will sell out. For more details and to register to play in the first-ever BCDI Golf Outing, please visit https://cbo.io/bidapp/index.php?slug=bcdigolf

A decade of incredible service to the bleeding, blood clotting and other blood disorders community- please join us in wishing Dr. Jonathan Roberts a happy 10 year anniversary of working at BCDI!

In his 10 years at BCDI, Dr. Roberts has gone above and beyond to help patients live longer and healthier lives, has advanced research with over 70 peer-reviewed publications and is a nationally-respected voice in hematology.

Congratulations on 10 wonderful years at BCDI, Dr. Roberts! Here's to many more!

BCDI is celebrating its three year anniversary of our state of the art Northmoor building! BCDI at 427 W. Northmoor Road in Peoria officially opened July 5, 2021.

The BCDI Northmoor location continues to allow us to strive towards our mission: providing integrated, family-oriented care, treatment and education for individuals with bleeding, blood clotting and other blood disorders.

Happy Fourth of July! The team at BCDI wishes you a safe and happy Independence Day!

The BCDI offices are closed today for the holiday. We will return to normal business hours, Friday, July 5. As always, please call (309) 692-5337 to be connected with our after hours answering service and on call providers.

BCDI patients and their close family members are invited to join the BCDI staff for Family Day on Saturday, July 20! We welcome our community to spend the afternoon at the BCDI Carnival- with fun games and activities for all ages! Lunch, education and child care will be provided! Rumor has it you may even have the opportunity to "dunk" your favorite hematologist in our Dunk Tank!

If you would like to attend BCDI Family Day, free of charge, please register at our sign up page found here: https://cbo.io/tickets/purchase_tickets.php?slug=familyday24&form_name=registration

The BCDI offices and pharmacy will be closed this Thursday, July 4, in observance of Independence Day. Please contact the BCDI pharmacy today for non urgent pharmacy fills prior to the holiday.

As always, the BCDI team will be available during the closure for urgent needs by calling (309) 692-5337 to be connected with our after hours answering service and on call providers.

At the foundation of our comprehensive care model is the BCDI Medical Home, through certified accreditation by AAAHC. The goals of the BCDI Medical Home includes providing patient-centered care to meet healthcare needs, collaborating with individuals, specialists and hospitals to provide healthcare continuum for our patients, and providing patients with support, education and resources to achieve optimal healthcare results.

To learn more about the objectives and strategic plan for the BCDI Medical Home, please visit https://ilbcdi.org/our-services/hemophilia-treatment-center/medical-home/.

We are extremely excited to announce the details for the inaugural BCDI Golf Outing! The 2024 BCDI Golf Outing will be held on Thursday, August 29 at Mt. Hawley Country Club in Peoria, Illinois, with a 10 a.m. shotgun start!

Registration is OPEN! Pricing for a group foursome of golfers is $600, or for an individual is $150. Included in your registration is an exciting day of golf at one of central Illinois’ premier golf courses at Mt. Hawley Country Club, plus access to raffle baskets, contests/games/prizes/giveaways on the course, lunch, an award ceremony following the round and opportunities to network with BCDI staff members. Sponsorship opportunities are also available!

All proceeds raised at the BCDI Golf Outing will benefit the BCDI Foundation, including improvements to patient program services and the Green Family Scholarship Fund. To register to play in the 2024 BCDI Golf Outing, please visit https://cbo.io/bidapp/index.php?slug=bcdigolf.

Four weeks from today we will be hosting BCDI Family Day on the BCDI campus in Peoria! This event is strictly for BCDI patients and their close family members, who can attend for FREE! Family Day will provide crucial education about the disorders and conditions in the bleeding, blood clotting and blood disorders community, plus a full day of carnival fun!

The BCDI Carnival will be perfect for all ages! Here is a glimpse of what to expect:
- Lunch brought to you by Brian Barron (BBQ) and the Hy-Vee grill.
- Carnival sweet treats by Kona Ice of Peoria and Kamaelas Kreamery.
- Carnival attractions and games by Fun on the Run.
- Farm animals and petting zoo by Barnyard Discoveries.
- Plus face painting, balloon artists and much more!!

BCDI patients and close family members may attend free of charge, but are REQUIRED to sign up! To register for BCDI Family Day, please visit https://cbo.io/bidapp/index.php?slug=familyday24.

BCDI is dedicated to partnering with healthcare providers throughout the country to ensure optimal outcomes for individuals with bleeding, blood clotting and other blood disorders.

This morning, BCDI CEO/CMO Dr. Michael Tarantino presented Grand Rounds at Washington University Division of Hematology in St. Louis. Dr. Tarantino’s talk entitled “Evolution of Understanding and Treatment of Primary Immune Thrombocytopenia” provided crucial education, covering the history of ITP, treatment models and evidence behind various therapeutic strategies.

Nationally recognized, centrally located. Committed to serving the bleeding and clotting disorders community. BCDI is here for 𝐘𝐎𝐔!

Incredible drone picture of BCDI on the corner of Knoxville and Northmoor in Peoria, provided by: Max Altitude.

BCDI is extremely excited to announce the inaugural BCDI Golf Outing, which is scheduled to take place Thursday, August 29 at Mt. Hawley Country Club in Peoria! The BCDI Golf Outing will be a four-person best ball golf event!

The BCDI Golf Outing is a charity event with all proceeds raised benefitting the BCDI Foundation, including improvements to patient program services at BCDI and the Green Family Scholarship Fund.

Save the date! Registration will open one week from today on Monday, June 24. More details will be available once registration opens, with pricing, schedule of events and sponsorship opportunities!

It is especially important to follow a balanced diet and maintain a healthy weight when you are living with a blood disorder. BCDI’s registered dietitian, Beth, works with patients specific needs as we know that no eating plan is “one size fits all.”

BCDI is here to support our patients health journey by setting attainable goals and following up to provide support. While changing eating patterns can be difficult, BCDI will work hand-in-hand with you to help develop new habits. With our comprehensive care team by your side, BCDI prioritizes not only your blood condition, but your overall health and wellness! To learn more about the services provided by our registered dietitian, please visit https://ilbcdi.org/about-us/our-team/clinical-care-team/registered-dietitians/.

Registration is open for BCDI Family Day 2024! We invite all of our BCDI patients and their close family members to join us for a FREE day of education and carnival fun on Saturday July 20, at our BCDI campus from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.!

Family Day guests will be treated to specialized education sessions from the expert BCDI staff and comprehensive care team members. Lunch and childcare will be provided as well. All attendees will also have access to the BCDI Carnival, with plenty of games, an obstacle course, petting zoo and various carnival themed treats!

Again, all BCDI patients and their close family members can attend free of charge, but you are required to register to attend! To learn more about BCDI Family Day 2024 and to sign up to attend, please visit https://cbo.io/bidapp/index.php?slug=familyday24.

BCDI's pharmacy program is designed to reduce the time our patients spend waiting for prescriptions to be filled or delivered. Through our participation in the federal 340B drug discount program, BCDI is able to provide significant savings to consumers and their insurance providers when utilizing our in-house pharmacy. On top of that, our team of experienced BCDI Couriers can deliver prescriptions straight to our patients homes!

To learn more about BCDI's pharmacy and how we support our patients, please visit https://ilbcdi.org/our-services/pharmacy/.

In a Bleeding & Clotting Disorders Institute exclusive project, the expert team of BCDI physicians have published a visual perspective of the history of hemophilia treatments entitled “The Evolution of Hemophilia Therapeutics: An Illustrated Review.”

Dr. Maria Espanol, Dr. Jessica Mistretta, Dr. Michael Tarantino and Dr. Jonathan Roberts collaborated to showcase how in the last 50 years, a better understanding of hemophilia has resulted in extraordinary advances leading to enhanced quality of life and increased life expectancy. In this detailed and visual report, you will get a full review of the evolution of hemophilia treatments from the development of non-factor therapies to gene therapy.

To view the full illustrated review, which was published in the March 2024 edition of Research and Practice in Thrombosis and Haemostasis (the open access journal of the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis), please visit https://ilbcdi.org/news/the-evolution-of-hemophilia-therapeutics-an-illustrated-review/.

It was a special afternoon at BCDI today, as our staff gathered to wish two incredible employees well with a retirement party potluck!

Please join us in wishing Lisa Weber, BCDI’s research assistant, a happy retirement! After 38 years of working as a laboratory technician and over 31 years of dedication to the bleeding and blood disorders community, Lisa’s final day of work at BCDI was Thursday, May 23, 2024.

Lisa has been a lab tech since 1986 and she first met BCDI CEO/CMO Dr. Michael Tarantino in 1993 in Louisville while working at Kosair Children’s Hospital. In 1999, Dr. Tarantino moved to Peoria to begin specialized work in hemostasis, and Lisa offered to move to Peoria as a dedicated lab professional. From 1999 – 2014, Lisa worked alongside Dr. Tarantino in Peoria, running laboratories and performing research work. In 2022, Lisa returned to BCDI as a research assistant.

Today we also honored longtime BCDI receptionist, medical transcriber and expert proofreader Joyce Winkel! Joyce retired in April 2020 alongside the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, so BCDI wanted to give her a well-deserved and proper send-off to retirement! Joyce began working in hematology in the Peoria area in 1992, and when BCDI opened its doors in 2010, Joyce was there and always with a smile.

Between Lisa and Joyce, they combined for nearly 60 years of service to the bleeding, clotting and blood disorders community! Alongside the entire BCDI staff, we congratulate Lisa and Joyce for exceptional careers and service. Thank you for all of your hard work and dedication- enjoy retirement!!!

BCDI's new Electronic Medical Record system, PrognoCIS, is now live! This new EMR will not only improve BCDI's commitment to providing optimal comprehensive care, but most importantly will improve experiences for our patients!

BCDI patients may notice minor technical difficulties throughout the implementation process, but we sincerely ask for your patience as we continue to learn this new system. To learn more about the new PrognoCIS EMR system, please visit https://ilbcdi.org/news/bcdi-unveils-new-emr-patient-care-system/.

On this , we thank and remember all of the brave individuals who paid the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country. 🇺🇸

The BCDI offices and pharmacy are closed closed in observance of Memorial Day. If you have an emergency, please call (309) 692-5337 and you will be connected with our 24/7 answering service. As always, our staff will be on call during the closure to assist with any urgent needs.

We are delighted to announce we are transitioning to a new EMR (Electronic Medical Record System) on Tuesday, May 28! This new system, named PrognoCIS, has been meticulously researched and customized to meet the specific needs of BCDI as a Hemophilia Treatment Center of Excellence.

It is important to note that during this time, BCDI patients may notice minor technical difficulties when the new system is launched. We sincerely ask for your patience with the entire BCDI staff as we continue to learn and implement the new system. We look forward to strengthening our promise of providing the highest level of integrated, family-oriented care, treatment and education for individuals with bleeding, blood clotting and other blood disorders!

If you're interested in learning more about BCDI's new EMR system, read our full story online at https://ilbcdi.org/news/bcdi-unveils-new-emr-patient-care-system/.

The BCDI offices and pharmacy will be closed on Monday, May 27, in observance of Memorial Day. As always, our office will be available during the closure for urgent needs! Please call the main office phone number at 309-692-5337 to be connected with our after hours answering service and on call providers.

We are excited to announce the details of the annual BCDI Family Day event! Family Day 2024 will take place Saturday, July 20 at the Bleeding and Clotting Disorders Institute campus at 427 W. Northmoor Rd in Peoria and will be carnival themed!

Family Day is exclusive to BCDI patients and their families and is 100% free to attend, but we do require you to sign up and register. Family Day guests will be treated with specialized education from the expert BCDI staff, carnival games and activities for all ages, and lunch will be provided. Care will be provided for children.

Registration is now open!!! To learn more about Family Day 2024 and to sign up to attend, please visit https://cbo.io/bidapp/index.php?slug=familyday24

We would like to express our sincere gratitude to our community for their tremendous support at our 13th annual BCDI Trivia Night event on April 19, 2024!

Nearly 300 guests joined the BCDI staff for a night of fun trivia, raffles and games, and fundraising at Peoria Civic Center Ballroom. Thanks to your generosity, Trivia Night 24 Karat Gold’s fundraising efforts raised a record-high with over $138,000 to further the mission of BCDI- making an immense impact on the lives of thousands of BCDI patients across the Midwest! Thank you!

Congratulations to BCDI physicians Dr. Jessica Mistretta, Dr. Maria Espanol, Dr. Jonathan Roberts and Dr. Michael Tarantino, plus Pharmacy Manager Dane Christ and Laboratory Manager Maureen Jones for their collaboration on a publication entitled, "Practical challenges associated with efanesoctocog alfa (ALTUVIIIO) prophylaxis in a 19-month-old male with severe hemophilia A."

This multidisciplinary report has been selected for publication in Pediatric Blood & Cancer, the official publication of the American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology. This Letter to the Editor helped encourage refinement of the package insert recommended administration of ALTUVIIIO to patients with hemophilia A.

To read the Letter to the Editor, which will feature in the June 2024 edition of Pediatric Blood & Cancer, please visit https://ilbcdi.org/news/bcdi-staff-earns-publication-in-pediatric-blood-cancer-journal/

BCDI would like to thank our friends State Representative Bill Hauter and Senator Dave Koehler for their support of the Illinois bleeding disorders community with the passing of HB4055 through both houses unopposed. This bill, introduced first in the House by Hauter (R-Morton) and then in the Senate by Koehler (D-Peoria), breaks down administrative barriers caused by unnecessary prior authorizations on medications for bleeding disorders treatments. The bill now goes to Governor J.B. Pritzker's desk for signature.

Read more from the office of Senator Koehler:
https://www.senatordavekoehler.com/news/28-press-releases/496-koehlers-measure-to-expand-access-to-bleeding-disorder-medications-passes-senate

Read more from the office of Representative Hauter:
https://rephauter.com/2024/05/15/hauter-bill-to-address-pre-authorization-abuse-on-its-way-to-the-governor/