FAMOHIO, Inc.

Our History 

Six men founded FAMOHIO, Inc. in the spring of 1992. That year, “FAMOHIO” was the acronym for “First Annual Meeting of Hemophiliacs in Ohio” but it has since meant “Family Annual Meeting of Hemophiliacs in Ohio.”

FAMOHIO, Inc. was grown out of the frustration of these adult men and their colleagues who had been infected by HIV in part because of the failure of government, product manufacturers, hemophilia organizations and others to adequately manage the quality of factor and communicate in a timely manner the risks of treatment. These men believed that an annual meeting of hemophiliacs and their families would provide an opportunity to share information, educate themselves, and work together for their common good. It was hoped that such a symposium would minimize the likelihood of a recurrence of such a calamity.

Of the six men who organized FAMOHIO, Inc., Tommy Burr, Tom Drake, Ira Gaffin and Darrell Hairston have died. All four were active in and strong advocates of the hemophiliac community, and left behind loved ones as well as many friends who have ensured the continuation of FAMOHIO, Inc.

2009 Event: Click on Event and Resources for more information!

Previous Awardees for the The Ira Gaffin Memorial Award

This award is presented to an individual who has provided extraordinary voluntary service to the hemophilia community. This merit based award is offered once each year and is open to any individual or couple whose unstinting service on behalf of the hemophilia  community of

1994: Paul and Rosie Haas

1995: Tom Burr

1996: Dirk Scheerhorn, Ph.D.

1997: Ralph Gruppo, M.D.

1998: Michael Para, M.D.

1999: Rick Sites

2000: Bill Dennis

2001: Jim Sites

2002: Joseph Palascek, M.D.

2003: Sylvia Jordan, R.N.

2004: Ruth Saylor

2005: Linda Wacha, R.N.

2006: Randy Clites

2007: Polly Partin-Welch, M.S.W., L.I.S.W.

2008: none awarded