Gavin Finkelstein, President 

Hi, I'm Gavin Finkelstein, 45 years of age, I have severe haemophilia and hepatitis C. I joined the HFWA Committee in 1995 and since then have become more and more involved in haemophilia issues in WA and around Australia. I have found joining HFWA to be a worthwhile experience, meeting some inspirational people and having the opportunity to discuss the many issues that haemophilia brings to our lives. It is up to us as a community to ensure that kids today and in the future receive the lastest and best treatment that is available to enable them to achieve the best quality of life without haemophilia being an issue.

Cheryl Ellis, Vice President

Hi everyone, my name is Cheryl Ellis and I have been a HFWA committee member for four years. I am a carrier of the haemophilia gene and have two boys who both have severe haemophilia A. Taj is eight and Ben is six. I am a theatre trained registered nurse and my husband Darren and I run our own business building swimming pools. I believe it is important to keep up to date with information relevant to our community; whether it is to do with advances in treatments, products and services available to us to make our lives easier, or the rights of our members to live full and happy lives.

Sharri Brodie, Committee Secretary

My name is Sharri Brodie and I joined the HFWA committee four years ago. I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself to our members. I am a full time mum of two boys, Willem who has severe haemophilia A and Joss who is not affected. Before children I was a dental nurse and then a lecturer at TAFE. I have joined the committee with the intention of meeting as many people as I can in the haemophilia community, and to learn a lot from you all. Perhaps I can also represent the families with young children who I have become friends with since my son's diagnosis. I am an excessively organised person and am hoping to put this obsessive skill toward fundraising and any other needs of the committee. I am looking forward to meeting you all soon.

Robert Butler, Treasurer

I am Robert Butler and I am Treasurer of the Haemophilia Foundation of WA. I am an Accountant in Private Practice in Claremont, my wife's name is Sheryl and she is a Family Law Solicitor, (if anyone needs one). We have two children, Marc, who is a very good Financial Planner, and Claire, who is a Geologist. We have been members of HFWA for about 25 years. Initially our interest/involvement was as parents of a haemophilia sufferer, wanting knowledge and peer support. As the foundation, (Society in earlier days), is always working for the benefits of all our members, it always needs people who can help it carry out its functions and as an accountant I felt I could help by doing the accounts, and that has been an ongoing involvement for me.

Claire Fitzgerald

Hi there, my name is Claire Fitzgerald and I feel privileged to be a member of the HFWA committee.  My eldest son, Kade who is now turning seven, was diagnosed with severe Haemophilia A at nearly two years of age. With no family history (except later ascertaining that I am a carrier) it came as quite a shock. The news of the official diagnosis came the day before my second son, Jay was born. I guess this was a blessing in disguise, as it saved us from a great deal of potential decision making and subsequent testing etc. and as it turns out, Jay does not have Haemophilia. Kade began his treatment with a port but we have now progressed onto venous access and this is going very well. 

All these little milestones and developments have had their moments of stress and this is just one example of how I feel that HFWA has offered us so much. HFWA enabled us to feel connected to others going through a similar situation, and from this, we gained strength. Kade is also growing up in the realisation that there are others out there like him, which is so beneficial at a number of levels. HFWA keeps us informed and connected to a variety of resources and this is essential for our knowledge and understanding of Kade’s condition. I feel that by being a part of the committee, I can now give something back and contribute in some small way to an organization that is so vital to the bleeding disorder community. I look forward to being a part of such a fantastic organisation and catching up with you all at the various functions throughout the year.