Regional event scheduled for bleeding disorder patients

On Saturday, Las Vegas will host a regional round of the Gettin' in the Game Junior National Championship, a competition designed to promote and encourage physical activity among children and young adults with bleeding disorders.

The event will take place at Desert Pines Golf Club from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and will be hosted by Professional Golfers' Association golf professional Perry Parker and semi-professional baseball player Jesse Schrader, both of whom have hemophilia.

Both athletes will offer participants a full day of coaching tips and will engage in friendly golf and baseball competitions with the children and young adults.

Now in its sixth year, the Junior National Championship, presented by CSL Behring, provides children who are affected by a bleeding disorder and their families with the opportunity to be physically active and participate in friendly competitions.

This regional round of the Gettin' in the Game competition will include families from Nevada. The event features a morning baseball and golf clinic, followed by an afternoon competition where children and young adults can showcase their talent in either sport. Other regional rounds will take place in Cleveland and Richmond, Va. For more information, visit www.CSLBehring.com.

At the end of each regional event, three children -- the baseball competition winner, the golf competition winner and a raffle prize winner -- will win a trip to the National Hemophilia Foundation's 59th annual meeting in Orlando Nov. 1-3.

This conference brings together individuals and families affected by coagulation disorders, medical and healthcare professionals and industry representatives. At the meeting, winners will be honored by CSL Behring at a series of event.

"The Junior National Championship is a chance for Jesse and me to get out into the community to encourage kids and young adults who have bleeding disorders to get active and stay fit through sports and exercise -- something that has become important to me," says Parker. "Living with hemophilia did not prevent me from pursuing my dream of becoming a professional golfer, and I strongly encourage others who have a bleeding disorder to pursue their dreams."