Benign hematology has long been a vital part of care at Cure 4 The Kids Foundation. As the program has grown in scope and complexity, it now stands as a fully developed specialty, offering a deeper level of expertise, expanded services, and an enduring commitment to patients. Cure 4 The Kids Foundation also participates in research and clinical trials while offering care and treatment to infants, children, and adolescents with the latest information and options available.
Over the last 50 years, pediatric hematology has increasingly leveraged immunology, biochemistry, enzymology, genetics and molecular genetics, and more as we continue to search for a cure. Aligned with this collaboration, our team of 12 providers provide comprehensive evaluation, diagnosis, and long-term management for a wide range of non-malignant blood disorders. We partner closely with families and referring providers to ensure continuity of care, supporting patients every step of the way.
Our team specializes in assessing and providing care to infants, children, and teenagers with blood disorders, including:
A bleeding and clotting disorder is a condition that affects the way your blood normally clots. The clotting process, known as coagulation, changes blood from a liquid to a solid. When you’re injured, your blood normally begins to clot to prevent a massive loss of blood. Sometimes, certain conditions prevent blood from clotting properly, which can result in heavy or prolonged bleeding.
Bleeding disorders can cause abnormal bleeding both outside and inside the body. Some disorders can drastically increase the amount of blood leaving your body. Others cause bleeding to occur under the skin or in vital organs, such as the brain.
Symptoms can vary depending on the specific type of bleeding and clotting disorder. The main signs may include:
that appears without clear trauma or develops from minimal contact, including bruises from normal support during dressing or bathing
occurring multiple times per week, bleeding from both nostrils simultaneously, or blood running down the back of the throat despite proper positioning and pressure
from small cuts, injuries, surgical procedures, or dental work
such as the knees, ankles, and elbows, often resulting in a sensatio of warmth, tingling, or "bubbling" before visible swelling appears
Bleeding disorders develop when the blood can’t clot properly. For blood to clot, your body needs blood proteins called clotting factors and blood cells called platelets. Normally, platelets clump together to form a plug at the site of a damaged or injured blood vessel. The clotting factors then come together to form a fibrin clot. This keeps the platelets in place and prevents blood from flowing out of the blood vessel.
For people with bleeding and clotting disorders, the clotting factors or platelets don’t work the way they should or are in short supply. When the blood doesn’t clot, excessive or prolonged bleeding can occur. It can also lead to spontaneous or sudden bleeding in the muscles, joints, or other parts of the body.
Bleeding and clotting disorders are largely inherited, which means they’re often passed from a parent to their child. However, some disorders may develop as a result of other medical conditions, such as liver disease.
Board-Certified Pediatric Hematology/Oncology | Director of Bleeding and Clotting Clinic and Research
Dr. Foord has been a cornerstone of the Benign Hematology Program at Cure 4 The Kids Foundation, combining deep clinical expertise with a passion for patient advocacy. In addition to treating patients, she has played a central role in developing clinical standards, driving research engagement, and mentoring the next generation of hematology providers. Her leadership continues to shape the future of this growing specialty and her clinical interests include bleeding and clotting disorders and sickle cell disease management.
She joined Cure 4 The Kids Foundation from Seattle Children’s Hospital, where she specialized in caring for childhood cancer survivors. She earned her medical degree from Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed her Pediatric Hematology/Oncology fellowship at Children’s Hospital of Orange County in 2016, with research focused on pediatric bleeding, clotting disorders, and post-bone marrow transplant care.
Family Nurse Practitioner | Sickle Cell Program
Jeanette is a dedicated clinician and educator with a special focus on red blood cell disorders, particularly Sickle Cell Disease. She combines academic rigor with compassionate care, helping patients and families navigate complex lifelong conditions while advancing best practices in the field.
Outside the clinic, Jeanette is actively involved in community outreach through the Lions Club, an international service organization committed to causes like hunger, vision, and childhood cancer where she passionately advocates for not only her patients but for the broader community, ensuring no need goes unheard and no voice goes unnoticed.
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner | Bleeding and Clotting Program
Julie provides specialize care for children and young adults with bleeding and clotting disorders including Hemophilia and Von Willebrand Disease. With a calm, focused approach and extensive clinical knowledge, she ensures that patients and families receive consistent, individualized care, both in the clinic and through ongoing education and support.
While all Cure 4 The Kids hematology/oncology providers treat benign hematologic conditions, our core team has been instrumental in shaping the program into what it is today, building standards of care, advancing research, and serving as a trusted resource for patients, families, and referring providers.
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