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Home / Share Your Loved One’s Blood Clot Story

Share Your Loved One’s Blood Clot Story

About 100,000 Americans die every year from blood clots, and their lives deserve to be remembered and celebrated. If you have a loved one who has experienced a fatal pulmonary embolism, we would be honored to share their story.

Questions? Contact jlawson@stoptheclot.org

Loved One's Story Submission Form

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(Spouse, child, parent, sibling, etc.)

Please share your loved one's blood clot experience*

Did they have any risk factors that may have contributed to their blood clotting experience?*

e.g., estrogen-based birth control, long travel, surgery, hospitalization, etc.

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e.g., DVT, PE, factor v Leiden, etc.

Choose your loved one's age range when first diagnosed.*

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If yes, what was their blood clotting disorder?*

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Tell us about your loved one. Feel free to share who they were as a person. What made them special?*

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Upload a photo of your loved one in .JPG or .PNG format.*

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Current News

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IU Health Methodist Hospital Named Indiana’s First NBCA VTE Center of Excellence™

The National Blood Clot Alliance (NBCA) is proud to announce IU Health Methodist Hospital as Indiana’s first NBCA Venous Thromboembolism…

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Federal Cuts Eliminate Blood Clot Education Funding: NBCA Launches Emergency Fundraising Campaign

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Advancing blood clot awareness, prevention, diagnosis & treatments to #stoptheclot. Submit your story @ link below ⬇️ Our podcast: Taking a Breath 🎙️

🧪 Clinical Trial Opportunity: Help Advance Bloo

🧪 Clinical Trial Opportunity: Help Advance Blood Clot Research

Researchers at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute in Bethesda, MD are looking for participants to join a clinical trial studying how blood clots, inflammation, and vascular diseases develop and progress over time.

They're seeking:

✔️ People aged 5+ with a history of blood clots, autoimmune disease, or vascular disorders

✔️ Healthy family members of affected individuals

This study involves optional medical evaluations, imaging, and lab tests. Some visits may be done via telehealth.

Your participation could help unlock answers about how these diseases affect the heart, brain, and other organs and guide future treatments.

🔗 Learn more and see if you're eligible: Link in bio.

#StopTheClot #BloodClots #VTE #BloodClotResearch

🎉 We're opening the Stop the Clot merch vault!

🎉 We're opening the Stop the Clot merch vault! 🎉

To show our gratitude for everyone who has supported our summer fundraising campaign, we’re giving away Stop the Clot gear every week through September 30!

You can enter TWO ways:

1️⃣ Donate: Every donation = 1 entry. Already donated? You’re in! Want better odds? Make another gift to boost your chances!

2️⃣ Share & Like: Share and like this post = 1 entry.

Giveaway Details:

Winners are announced every Thursday. All donations support NBCA’s mission to raise awareness, provide patient support, and save lives.

Thanks to our matching campaign, your gift goes 2X s far through September 30. (It could go 3X as far if your employer has a matching gift program!)

Don't miss your chance to win Stop the Clot swag and make a meaningful impact.

👇 Let us know you entered by commenting below!

🎁 Donate now: Link in bio.

#StopTheClot #BloodClots #FundraisingFriday #BloodClotAwareness

At just 14, Madison had a blood clot that stretche

At just 14, Madison had a blood clot that stretched from her abdomen to her ankle. Diagnosed with May-Thurner syndrome, she endured multiple hospitalizations, surgery, and weeks of recovery all during hurricane season. 👉Swipe through to read her story.

Join us in October for our PEP Talk on blood clots in children to learn more about risk factors, signs to watch for, and how to advocate for the kids in your life: Link in bio.

#StopTheClot #BloodClots #PediatricVTE #PediatricBloodClots #BloodClotAwareness

“I never thought it could happen to my child,”

“I never thought it could happen to my child,” says Arshell, who tragically lost her daughter Leschel to a preventable blood clot. Turning heartbreak into purpose, Arshell now serves as an NBCA Thrombassador and secretary of our Board of Directors, working tirelessly to raise awareness and save lives.

This summer, she and her family will host the 5th Annual BBQ in Memory of Leschel at Commodore Barry Park in Brooklyn—sharing life-saving information about blood clots with their community.
One life lost is one too many. Your gift can help stop future tragedies by funding critical awareness and education. And right now, every donation made by 9/30 will be matched—doubling your impact.

Give in memory of Leschel and all those taken too soon by blood clots. Together, we can save lives.

🎁 Donate: Link in bio

#StopTheClot #BloodClots #PulmonaryEmbolism #BloodClotAwareness

🚨 Breaking News: Starting today, donations to t

🚨 Breaking News: Starting today, donations to the National Blood Clot Alliance can be tripled! 🚨

Federal funding cuts have eliminated key public health programs focused on blood clot awareness and education, leaving a gap the effort to prevent life-threatening blood clots—and the NBCA is stepping up to fill it.

NBCA President Leslie Lake is matching every donation through Sept. 30, and now, your gift can be matched again by your employer if your company offers matching donations (many do!)

This means your donation could go three times as far, supporting life-saving education, raising awareness, and providing support to individuals and families affected by blood clots.

✅ Make your donation today and check if your employer matches donations: Link in bio

#StopTheClot #BloodClots #BloodClotAwareness #BloodClotFunding

🏅Countdown to race day! In November, Team Stop

🏅Countdown to race day! In November, Team Stop the Clot will hit the streets for 2025 TCS New York City Marathon and their training is in high gear.

Over the next three months, we’re introducing you to the inspiring runners who are clocking the miles, sharing their stories, and raising funds for NBCA.

🏃‍♂️ Kim Brown of The Colony, TX is a three-time blood clot survivor who also has factor V Leiden and prothrombin gene mutation (factor II). She explains why she is running:

“Blood Clots. My demise, my fear, my downfall. My strength, my perseverance, my story. I was born with two genetic mutations that increase my risk. My story unfolded as I was about to enter my second year of graduate school for physical therapy. I was overcome with debilitating pain and could barely move. My PCP gave me pain medication, after I advocated against it. She said come back in two weeks if you still have pain.”

Fortunately, Kim remembered learning about blood clots in school and advocated for her care by going to the emergency room and getting an ultrasound. This was the first of several blood clots she would suffer in her lifetime.

🔗Support Kim as she trains for the 2025 NYC Marathon with Team Stop the Clot! Read her story and leave an encouraging comment or donate: Link in bio.

#stoptheclot #teamstoptheclot #bloodclots #nycmarathon #bloodclotawareness #bloodclotprevention

Happy National Health Center Week! 🎉 Join us a

Happy National Health Center Week! 🎉

Join us as we celebrate community health centers and their dedication to improving health outcomes and reducing disparities for vulnerable and underserved communities across the United States.

Did you know that certain populations are at higher risk for blood clots due to underlying health conditions and limited access to health care?

✅ People from lower socioeconomic backgrounds often face barriers to accessing healthcare, increasing their risk for untreated conditions that can lead to blood clots.

✅ Racial and ethnic minorities are more likely to experience health disparities, resulting in higher rates of blood clot-related complications.

Awareness and prevention are key! Health centers provide crucial services like screenings, education, and treatment to help bridge these gaps.

🔗Find a community health center in your area: Link in bio.

#StopTheClot #NationalHeathCenterWeek #HealthDisparities #HealthEquity #BloodClots #VTE

After a long flight, Misty brushed off leg pain an

After a long flight, Misty brushed off leg pain and breathlessness, until a friend urged her to get checked. It was DVT and bilateral PE.

Now living with post-thrombotic syndrome, she shares a simple message: take travel risks seriously and know the signs.

More stories at the link in bio.

#StopTheClot #StopTheClotStory #BloodClots #PostThromboticSyndrome #MayThurnerSyndrome #BloodClotAwareness

🌟 Shout out to our incredible Thrombassador Cha

🌟 Shout out to our incredible Thrombassador Charita Brittenum! 🌟

As a survivor herself and having tragically lost her daughter Sydney to a blood clot, she channels her experience into advocacy that truly makes a difference.

Recently, Charita has been making waves with several radio interviews, including her session on Atlanta's @praise1025. Her efforts are vital in spreading awareness and educating communities about the risks of blood clots.

Thrombassadors like Charita are the heartbeat of our mission. Let's show Charita some love for her incredible work!

#StopTheClot @TheREALCharita

Today is Global Lung Cancer Day. Did you know that

Today is Global Lung Cancer Day. Did you know that people with cancer are 4–7 times more likely to develop blood clots?

Here’s why:

- Cancer can make blood clot more easily.
- Lung tumors can press on or block blood vessels.
- Treatments like chemo, surgery, or long hospital stays can slow blood flow and trigger clots.

If you or a loved one has cancer, it’s important to know the signs and symptoms of blood clots such as, deep vein thrombosis (including leg pain and swelling) and pulmonary embolism (including sudden shortness of breath, rapid heart rate, and chest pain).

Seek medical attention immediately if any symptoms develop.

Learn more: 🔗 in bio.

#StopTheClot #GlobalLungCancerDay #LungCancer #BloodClots #VTE #BloodClotAwareness

🌟 We're making incredible progress together!

🌟 We're making incredible progress together!

Thanks to your generosity, we've already raised nearly $52,000 toward our $200,000 goal for our summer campaign—$100,000 donations + $100,000 match. That's over 25% of the way there!

🙏 Thank you to everyone who has donated so far. Your support enables us to continue vital education and resources for preventing and treating blood clots.

Haven't donated yet? Now is the perfect time to make a difference. Every donation before Sept. 30 will be matched by NBCA's President Leslie Lake, doubling your impact!

➡️ Donate at the link in bio and help us reach our goa!

#StopTheClot #BloodClots #BloodClotAwareness #BloodClotFunding

Days after spraining her ankle, an ultrasound reve

Days after spraining her ankle, an ultrasound revealed that Alexis had a chronic, unprovoked DVT unrelated to her sprain.

With no known risk factors, the diagnosis was a shock. Now on anticoagulants indefinitely, Alexia hopes her story reaches other young people who may feel alone after an unprovoked blood clot diagnosis.

👉Read Alexia’s full story and other stories at the 🔗 in bio.

Have you experienced an unprovoked DVT? Tell us about it in the comments.

#StopTheClot #BloodClots #VTE #DVT #DeepVeinThrombosis #BloodClotAwareness

Do you take Eliquis and struggle with the cost? Th

Do you take Eliquis and struggle with the cost? There’s some news that may help.

Starting September 8, Bristol-Myers Squibb and Pfizer will begin selling Eliquis (apixaban) directly to patients at a discounted price.

If you’re uninsured or underinsured, you’ll be able to purchase a 30-day supply for $346 (a discounted rate of more than 40% less than the current list price) through the Eliquis 360 Support website. The medication will be shipped directly to your home.

This new option is designed to make Eliquis more affordable for those who pay the full cost out of pocket. If you currently have insurance coverage, this likely won’t change your copay or coverage, but it may be worth exploring if you’re struggling to afford your medication.

🔗For more information or to see if you qualify: Link in bio.

#StopTheClot #Eliquis #Apixaban #BloodThinner #Anticoagulant #PrescriptonDrugCosts

🏅Countdown to race day! In November, Team Stop

🏅Countdown to race day! In November, Team Stop the Clot will hit the streets for 2025 TCS New York City Marathon and their training is in high gear.

Over the next three months, we’re introducing you to the inspiring runners who are clocking the miles, sharing their stories, and raising funds for NBCA.

🏃‍♂️ Jessica Bredin of Boston, MA explains why she is running:

“My father was the most amazing man and the best dad anyone could ever ask for. I knew that since his passing from a PE in 2015 that I would always continue to keep his name around. It’s an honor to be running the New York Marathon in his memory for an organization that does so much to bring awareness to this serious cause. I also wish to follow in the footsteps of my two aunts, Ann McAvinn and Mary Argilagos, who ran for team Stop the Clot in 2018.”

Support Jessica as she trains for the 2025 NYC Marathon with Team Stop the Clot! Leave an encouraging comment or donate to his fundraising effort: 🔗in bio!

@nycmarathon #stoptheclot #teamstoptheclot #bloodclots #nycmarathon #bloodclotawareness #bloodclotprevention

Did you know blood clot symptoms can look differen

Did you know blood clot symptoms can look different depending on your age?

➡️ Younger adults often experience sudden, sharp leg pain or swelling, and may not realize they’re at risk. Symptoms can be intense, but are sometimes dismissed by providers.

➡️ Older adults (age 65 and above) may have vague symptoms, like fatigue or shortness of breath, that could be mistaken for other conditions. This can lead to dangerous delays in diagnosis.

Understanding how clots show up at different ages can save lives. Join our August PEP Talk on Tuesday, Aug. 12 at 7 p.m. ET to learn more: 🔗in bio.

#StopTheClot #BloodClots #VTE #PEPTalk #BloodClotWebinar #BloodClotAwareness #BloodClotEducation

🩸 Today is Factor V Leiden Awareness Day! 🩸F

🩸 Today is Factor V Leiden Awareness Day! 🩸Factor V Leiden is a common genetic mutation that can increase your risk of blood clots.

Here’s how it works:

Your body has a built-in system that helps your blood clot when you're injured, then stops the clotting once you've healed. One of the key proteins in this process is called factor V.

People with factor V Leiden have a mutation in the gene that makes this protein. The mutation causes factor V to stay active longer than it should, meaning the clotting process doesn’t switch off like it normally would. This raises the risk of developing dangerous blood clots, including deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE).

🧬 What does this mean for people with factor V Leiden?

- If you inherit one mutated gene (heterozygous), your risk is mildly increased.
- If you inherit two mutated genes (homozygous), your risk is significantly higher.

🔍 Facts:

- 1 in 20 (5%) people of European descent have the heterozygous form.
- 1 in 5,000 people have the homozygous form.

Despite the increased risk, only about 10% of people with factor V Leiden develop blood clots.

For women, clotting risks are higher during pregnancy, when taking birth control, or using hormone replacement therapy.

🔗 Learn more at the link in bio.

#StopTheClot #BloodClots #FactorVLeiden #FactorVLeidenAwarenessDay #KnowYourRisk #VTE

Kevin’s body was in crisis. He had clots in his

Kevin’s body was in crisis. He had clots in his lungs, liver, intestines, and the largest vein in his body. It took three hospitals before anyone realized how serious it was.

Now he's learning to live with the long-term effects and speaking out so others don’t get dismissed like he was.

🔗Read his full story and other stories at the link in bio.

#StopTheClot #BloodClots #APS #Sepsis #IVCClot #BloodClotAwareness

Have questions about blood clots? We’ve got answ

Have questions about blood clots? We’ve got answers.

From diagnosis and recovery to exercise, genetics, and anticoagulants, our expert-reviewed FAQ covers it all.

Whether you're newly diagnosed or years into your journey, this resource can help you make informed decisions and feel more confident about your health.

Explore answers to the most common questions from real patients, reviewed by NBCA’s Medical and Scientific Advisory Board. 🔗in bio.

#StopTheClot #BloodClots #VTE #BloodClotFAQs #FrequentlyAskedQuestions #BloodClotAwareness

In 2014, after gallbladder surgery, Michael collap

In 2014, after gallbladder surgery, Michael collapsed and was diagnosed with a life-threatening pulmonary embolism. Today, he’s a proud adoptive dad, retired, and grateful for a second chance at life.

👉Read Michael’s full story and find more stories here: stoptheclot.org/patient-stories

#StopTheClot #BloodClots #Surgery #PulmonaryEmbolism #BloodClotAwareness

If you help care for an older adult — a parent,

If you help care for an older adult — a parent, partner, friend, or family member — you already know how important it is to stay informed about health risks that come with age.

One risk that often goes overlooked? Blood clots. As we age, the risk for deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) increases, but there are steps caregivers can take to help reduce these risks.

Join us for our August PEP Talk to learn more about:

- Why age increases the risk for blood clots
- How to recognize warning signs early
- Practical steps caregivers and families can take to help prevent them

This is a conversation designed not just for patients, but for the people who love and care for them.

Join us Tuesday, August 12 at 7 p.m. ET. 🔗 Register at the link in bio.

#StopTheClot #BloodClots #VTE #PEPTalk #BloodClotWebinar #BloodClotAwareness #BloodClotEducation

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National Blood Clot Alliance
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NBCA provides the information and materials on this site for general information purposes only. You should not rely on the information provided as a substitute for actual professional medical advice, care, or treatment. This site is not designed to and does not provide medical advice, professional diagnosis, opinion, treatment, or services to you or any individual. If you believe you have a medical emergency, call 911 immediately.