Hemophilia Advocates Gather in Canton for 17th Annual Unite Walk
CANTON, Mass.- Hundreds of patients, families, and healthcare advocates intended to gather at Prowse Farm on Saturday, Sept. 26, for the New England Hemophilia Association's (NEHA) 17th annual Unite Walk, a major regional fundraising event dedicated to raising awareness and financial support for individuals living with bleeding disorders. While severe weather forced the NEHA to cancel its in-person walk, the organizers reported that the regional fundraising campaign has successfully exceeded its goals despite the cancellation.
To understand the drive behind such community efforts, we begin by understanding the condition itself. Hemophilia is a rare genetic bleeding disorder in which the blood does not clot properly due to a lack of sufficient blood-clotting proteins, leading to spontaneous bleeding or prolonged bleeding following an injury. Because managing this lifelong condition requires extensive medical care and strong support networks, regional events like the Unite Walk play crucial roles in bringing families together and raising critical operational funds.
Early Saturday morning, the event organizers made the difficult decision to call off the physical walk at Prowse Farm following heavy rainfall and high wind warnings across eastern Massachusetts. Safety concerns for vulnerable patients, elderly community members, and volunteers ultimately drove the decision to pivot the in-person event into a virtual call-to-action. “While we are deeply disappointed that we couldn’t gather in person at Prowse Farm, the health and safety of our community is always our top priority,” said NEHA’s event management team. “The spirit of this walk has never been limited to a single trail or location.”
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Despite the physical event being canceled, the response from families, the corporate sponsors, and local advocacy teams proved resilient. Pre-registered teams shifted their efforts online, hosting virtual meetups, peer-to-peer social media drives, and indoor family solidarity walks across all six New England states. As of Sunday morning, fundraising totals surpassed $380,000 exceeding NEHA’s original target of $325,000 for the 2026 walk season. Contributions will remain open through the end of the calendar year to ensure continued backing for families impacted by the rare bleeding disorders.
For participants, the shared bond of the community extends far beyond a one-day gathering. “I got involved with the walk because I have become very close to someone [William Sousa Wagner] who has it, and they are like family to me, and I want to be there for them,” said participant and Dean student Emmy DeGregorio. “Even though the event was canceled, it still means that there is that community.”
The Unite Walk serves as the flagship annual fundraiser for NEHA, directly financing vital programs for individuals and families living with hemophilia, Von Willebrand disease, and other severe bleeding conditions across the region. Funds raised from the walk support key initiatives, including emergency financial assistance by providing direct relief to families facing unexpected medical bills, transportation costs, or insurance coverage gaps, helping fund year-round educational workshops and youth programs that teach both children and parents how to safely manage chronic bleeding conditions, and help support state and federal efforts to safeguard patient access to specialized medical care and life-saving factor replacement therapies.
Honoring the top fundraising teams and celebrating community achievements, the NEHA announced plans to host a dedicated recognition ceremony and modified walk celebration during its upcoming Fall Fest conference later this autumn. Supporters, donors, and community members wishing to contribute or learn more about upcoming advocacy events can visit the New England Hemophilia Association portal. Whether rain or shine, the passion of this community remains unshakeable, proving that when people unite for a cause, no storm can dampen their impact.
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