Athlete
The Fear of Another PE Still Lives in my Body: Caitlyn’s Story
It was a couple of days after traveling when I first noticed something wasn’t right. I had switched birth control pills within the last several months. At my first conference talk after COVID, I realized mid-presentation that I couldn’t quite get through full sentences without pausing for breath. I told myself it was just nerves.…
I Learned to Love My Body Again: Andreea’s Story
Two weeks after a 68-mile bike ride, I couldn’t straighten my leg, and my veins bulged. “It’s just a bruise,” the ER doctor said, looking at my leg. He dismissed it the same way that the sports doctor and physical therapists did. But weeks later, my leg looked blue with spider veins. I sent a…
It’s Important to be Grateful for Your Health While You Have It: Sam’s Story
In October 2023, I was 25 years old and in the final stretch of training for the NYC Marathon. I was a Division I athlete in college and have been active and healthy for my entire life, and I was excited to run the marathon while raising money for lung cancer research. Three weeks before…
The Hardest Parts are the Unknowns and ‘What-Ifs’
I’m extremely active, working out 5-6 days a week with lifting and spin classes. Until recently, I have never had any health issues. But for about a year, I was experiencing pelvic pain off and extreme fatigue. I brushed off these symptoms as a result of my age and IUD. In March 2025, I had…
I’m So Happy to be Alive: William’s Story
I got home from work and found it very painful to walk up the stairs. It felt like I pulled my groin. The next day I was supposed to see my mom for her birthday, but I could not get out of bed because I couldn’t move my legs. My mom told me to call…
We Hope Jason’s Story Saves Lives
I’m Jason Armitage’s mother, Faye. I’m writing this because he is severely disabled: paralyzed from the nose down and speech impaired. Blood clots in young people often get misdiagnosed and symptoms are routinely dismissed, as was the case when we visited the ER after a soccer game with then-7-year-old Jason. He had collided …
I’ve Learned How to Advocate For Myself: Melisa’s Story
I have always been an avid runner. In August 2024, I was training for my seventh marathon when I developed pain and swelling in my left leg. I thought I had strained my calf and did physical therapy, but I didn’t make any progress. I attempted the marathon but ultimately dropped out at mile 8…
Symptoms Were Misdiagnosed as Asthma: Paul and Denise’s Story
As told by Paul’s mother, Denise. We wish we had known the symptoms of blood clots, and we wish we had known they can affect anyone, at any age, at any time. Sadly, Paul, Jr. was not one of the lucky ones. He did not survive his blood clot. He passed away on September 19,…
He Spread Kindness Everywhere He Went: Finley and Veronica’s Story
As told by Finley’s mother, Veronica Finley had been diagnosed with factor V Leiden homozygous in May 2023. I asked for him to be tested due to family history. No one explained his diagnosis to us, nor was it given any credence when brought up at doctor appointments. In June of 2024, in the height…
Blood Clots Need to be Taken Seriously: Jill’s Story
My lower left calf started hurting in Florida during Christmas break. I have completed nine marathons and two Ironmans, so I chalked it up to a strain. I kept putting ointment on it and it always felt way worse in the morning. My friend Anne actually said, “Hey, be careful, you might have a blood clot.”…
