When Egypt Bryant experienced deep vein thrombosis and a pulmonary embolism in 2022, she was literally in the right place at the right time: at work in the pulmonary department of an outpatient clinic in New York City.

Egypt is still recovering physically and mentally. As she researched blood clots and tried to make sense of what happened to her, she felt called to be part of the solution.

Alarmingly, she learned that Black populations have up to 60% higher rates of life-threatening blood clots than white people, and studies have shown that Black people have higher blood clot mortality rates than any other group.

“Nobody I knew understood what a PE was, and I wanted to be involved so I could spread awareness,” Egypt said. “I wanted to be part of something bigger than myself.”

She became involved with NBCA’s Community Thrombassador program, in which advocates undergo training on thrombosis and find ways to spread awareness within their communities.

Egypt’s first event was a recent Caribbean-American health fair in Brooklyn, where she staffed an information table and spoke to attendees about blood clot symptoms and prevention. She also makes sure that the pulmonary clinic where she works has a supply of New Patient Resource Guides to help newly diagnosed blood clot patients.

Egypt is taking her advocacy a step further. She has created her own nonprofit organization, Broken Silence, to promote awareness and education about DVT/PE within the Black community.

“After reading up on blood clots being a silent killer, I was compelled to spread the word in my community first, but to educate all that will listen,” she said.

Egypt’s advocacy is inspirational, and we’re proud to be standing by her side to support her as she continues telling her story and spreading awareness. Egypt, congratulations for being named NBCA’s January Volunteer of the Month!

Interested in spearheading a fundraiser or awareness initiative? Email tpatrikis@stoptheclot.org for more information.