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Elk County proclaims March Bleeding Disorders Awareness Month and declares March 15–21 Pennsylvania 4‑H Week
Summary
At its March meeting, the Elk County Commissioners approved proclamations recognizing March 2026 as Bleeding Disorders Awareness Month and March 15–21 as Pennsylvania 4‑H Week; a regional foundation director and Penn State Extension leaders described outreach and participation figures.
Elk County Commissioners unanimously approved two proclamations at their first March meeting, recognizing March 2026 as Bleeding Disorders Awareness Month and March 15–21 as Pennsylvania 4‑H Week.
Cara Dornish, executive director of the Western Pennsylvania Bleeding Disorders Foundation, joined the meeting by Zoom and accepted the county’s proclamation. Dornish said the foundation supports families across 26 counties and that dozens of local families depend on the organization’s education and support services. She told commissioners many people go years without a diagnosis and said women and girls are often underdiagnosed. Dornish cited prevalence figures during her remarks; at different points she referenced both “more than 3 percent” and “as many as 1 in 100,” figures she presented while urging early screening and connection to care.
The board read the proclamation aloud, noting local impacts of inherited bleeding disorders and past public‑health harms from contaminated blood products in the 1980s. Commissioners voted to approve the proclamation by voice vote and said it would be signed and sent to Dornish.
The board also heard from Rob Dickinson of Penn State Extension and 4‑H leader Michelle McMinn in support of a proclamation declaring March 15–21 as Pennsylvania 4‑H Week. Dickinson described 4‑H outreach in Elk County, saying school‑based enrichment reached roughly 1,837 students in the county and that the program reported a total youth reach figure of about 2,312. He and McMinn described volunteer support and classroom activities, and the commissioners approved that proclamation by voice vote.
Why it matters: The proclamations are symbolic recognition that aim to raise awareness of local health and youth‑development resources. Commissioners said public recognition helps connect residents with services and volunteer opportunities.
What’s next: The proclamation for Bleeding Disorders Awareness Month will be signed and delivered to the Western Pennsylvania Bleeding Disorders Foundation. The county will continue to support 4‑H programming in schools during the designated week.
