Home / Volunteer Spotlights / Kristin Billings Turns Used Sneakers Into Donations for NBCA

Kristin Billings Turns Used Sneakers Into Donations for NBCA

Kristin Billings Turns Used Sneakers Into Donations for NBCA

As an NBCA Community Thrombassador, Kristin regularly speaks about her blood clot experience and her pageant work allows her to amplify her message. Now, Kristin is taking her awareness efforts a step further by teaming up with Got Sneakers, an organization that collects used sneakers and recycles them, reducing the waste dumped in landfills.

Each pair of sneakers that Kristin donates results in a donation to NBCA. Thank you, Kristin, and congratulations on being named Volunteer of the Month!

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

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

Happy Thanksgiving! 💛 Today is all about grati

Happy Thanksgiving! 💛 Today is all about gratitude, connection, and the people we love. It’s also National Family Health History Day — a reminder that one of the most meaningful conversations you can have is about your family’s health.

Blood clots can be linked not only to surgery, injury, pregnancy, or long travel, but also to hereditary conditions you may not know about. Sharing your family’s health story can help protect the people you love most.

👉 Watch our November PEP Talk on this topic: Link in bio.

#StopTheClot #Thanksgiving #NationalFamilyHealthHistoryDay #KnowYourRisk #BloodClotAwareness

🎙️ New Episode Alert! 🎙️ Season 3, Epis

🎙️ New Episode Alert! 🎙️

Season 3, Episode 3 of Taking a Breath: A Stop the Clot podcast is now available on all major podcast platforms.

In this episode, listeners hear from Chris Gailus, anchor of News Hour on Global BC Television in Vancouver. He describes how he experienced leg swelling after a morning run and figured it was a pulled muscle.

About a week later, he felt a sharp pain in his side along with shortness of breath.

The ER sent him home, so he waited a few days until a scheduled checkup with his doctor, who recognized the signs of a pulmonary embolism.

“I’m thankful to him,” Chris said, his voice filled with emotion. “I believe he saved my life.”

During Thanksgiving week, we’re thinking about the people whose awareness, instincts, and advocacy save lives every day — including clinicians like the one who recognized Chris’s PE.

Thank you, Chris, for sharing your story and helping raise awareness. 👉 Listen to his journey on our website or wherever you get your podcasts: Link in bio.

#StopTheClot #TakingABreath #TakingABreath #StopTheClotPodcast #BloodClotPodcast

The moment you hear the words, “you have a blood

The moment you hear the words, “you have a blood clot,” everything shifts. Your routines, your plans, your sense of safety all feel uncertain.

Our next PEP Talk on Tuesday, December 9 at 7 p.m. is designed to meet you in that moment.

We’ll talk about what early recovery is actually like, how to recognize what’s normal, how to manage the day-to-day changes, and where to find trustworthy guidance.

If you or a loved one are searching for clarity, connection, and a steadier path forward, this session is for you.

👉 Register: Link in bio.

If you can’t make the live webinar, sign up anyway to get the recording sent straight to your inbox.

#StopTheClot #BloodClots #VTE #NewDiagnosis #BloodClotAwareness

The National Blood Clot Alliance is honored to ann

⏰ #GivingTuesday is just one week away on Decemb

⏰ #GivingTuesday is just one week away on December 2!

Blood clots don’t wait, and neither can we. Every few minutes, someone in the U.S. is hospitalized or loses their life to a preventable blood clot.

Behind every survivor is a ripple — a clinician who recognized the signs, a family member who urged them to seek care, a friend who shared a resource, or a stranger’s story that inspired them to act. Your support helps create those ripples before someone even knows they’ll need them.

This Giving Tuesday, your action can spark the next ripple.

Your support helps the National Blood Clot Alliance raise awareness, equip clinicians, fund patient education, and empower people to recognize the signs before it’s too late.

🔗 Here are four ways to join NBCA this Giving Tuesday (the link in our bio has more info!)

1. Donate: Your gift supports lifesaving awareness, education, and prevention efforts

2. Create a Facebook fundraiser: Rally your friends and family to give by starting your own fundraiser.

3. Share your story: Your voice may be the ripple that saves someone else.

4. Get your workplace involved: Encourage coworkers to donate, ask about matching gifts, or share NBCA’s mission in your company newsletter.

How do you plan to mark Giving Tuesday? Tell us in the comments!

🔗 For more ideas and resources, download NBCA’s 2025 Giving Tuesday Toolkit: Link in bio

#StopTheClot #GivingTuesday #GivingTuesday2025 #GlobalGenerosity #BloodClotAwareness

🫶 Every effort to prevent a blood clot is an ac

🫶 Every effort to prevent a blood clot is an act of public health.

Today, on #PublicHealthThankYouDay, we honor our partners in health — the clinicians, researchers, advocates, and community partners — who help NBCA empower patients, advance awareness, and save lives.

Public health workers are the link between science, healthcare systems, and everyday people. They translate knowledge into action so fewer people develop clots, more individuals receive timely diagnosis and treatment, and more families are spared preventable loss.

Join us in saying thank you to public health workers for their dedication to prevention, education, and care that keeps our communities safe.

Tag a public health hero in the comments to help us celebrate their impact.

#StopTheClot #PHTYD #BloodClotAwareness #PublicHealthHeroes

“On December 11, 2024, I went to the emergency r

“On December 11, 2024, I went to the emergency room because my entire right arm was swollen. My father told me not to go since I wasn’t in pain and already had a doctor’s appointment scheduled for the next day, but something told me to get it checked out. I honestly thought it was just a pinched nerve — nothing serious.

When the ER doctor came in and told me I was in a life-or-death situation after finding a blood clot, or deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in my arm, my whole world stopped. They prepared to transfer me for emergency surgery but later decided instead to start me on blood thinners and send me home. I didn’t realize at the time that my life was still in danger.

In the early morning hours of December 12, around 3 a.m., I woke up gasping for air. I couldn’t breathe. My heart was pounding out of my chest. My consciousness began to fade, and my whole body was tingling and numb. When I touched my left arm, I couldn’t feel my own touch — the sensation was completely gone.

I was rushed to the hospital and woke up the next day, Friday, December 13, after 12 hours in the ER. The doctors told me I was lucky to be alive — I had suffered a pulmonary embolism.

After my PE, I struggled to understand how this could have happened to me. It was labeled as unprovoked, which only made me more determined to find answers. For months, I shared my story, changed doctors, and kept searching.

My first hematologist told me there was nothing they could do to figure out why I had a blood clot and to seek psychological help.

About nine months later, after switching hematologists and hospitals, I finally learned the cause: venous thoracic outlet syndrome (VTOS). My right first rib was severely compressing my subclavian vein — the same area where my clot had formed back in December.

On October 22, 2025, I underwent surgery to remove my first rib. Without it, I faced a high risk of another DVT or pulmonary embolism.

I believe God saved my life for a reason, and I’m grateful every day to still be here. My message to others: never stop advocating for yourself — your life may depend on it.”

More stories: Link in bio. @itsnicolejarosz

Game day energy. Player passion. A cause that save

Game day energy. Player passion. A cause that saves lives. 👟🏈

Every November and December, @NFL players lace up to honor the causes that matter most to them. This year, one NFL player is stepping onto the field with a powerful tribute in memory of a teammate gone too soon. We have a powerful My Cause My Cleats partnership announcement dropping this week. Any guesses? Comment below!

#StopTheClot #MyCauseMyCleats #NFL #BloodClotAwareness @ESPN

💙⭐ It’s game day, @dallascowboys fans! ⭐💙PE survivor @charly.barby of the @dccheerleaders

Today, Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader and PE survivor Charly Barby takes the field in her custom My Cause My Boots supporting blood clot awareness.

We’re grateful to Charly for using this moment to shine a light on a cause that saves lives, not only on the field but also on the Netflix series “America’s Sweethearts.”

🎙️ Hear her story on our Taking a Breath podcast: Link in bio.

Keep an eye out for those boots today! 👢✨

#StopTheClot #MyCauseMyBoots #NFL #BloodClotAwareness

Last month on our Taking a Breath podcast, blood c

Last month on our Taking a Breath podcast, blood clot survivor Elizabeth Simms opened up about the moment that changed everything.

While pregnant, Elizbeth experienced a life-threatening saddle pulmonary embolism and required an emergency computer-assisted vacuum thrombectomy (CAVT) — a procedure that saved both her life and her unborn baby’s life.

Her story continues to make an impact.

@todayshow just featured Elizabeth’s experience, bringing more attention to blood clot risks in pregnancy and the power of timely diagnosis and treatment.

💛 Elizabeth, thank you for bravely sharing your story and helping protect countless others.

🎧 Listen to her podcast episode: Link in bio.

📖 Read the Today feature: Link in bio.

#StopTheClot #TakingABreath #StopTheClotPodcast #BloodClotPodcast #TodayShow

💙⭐ Big news, @dallascowboys fans! ⭐💙 Pu

💙⭐ Big news, @dallascowboys fans! ⭐💙

Pulmonary embolism survivor @charly.barby of @dccheerleaders has chosen the National Blood Clot Alliance for her My Cause My Boots campaign!

This Sunday, she’ll take the field in custom NBCA boots to raise awareness about blood clots , a cause that’s deeply personal to her.

Charly has been an incredible voice for our community. She even joined us on our Taking a Breath podcast (Season 2, Episode 10) to share her story. 🎧 Listen to Charly’s episode: Link in bio!

Thank you, Charly, for bringing heart, sparkle, and lifesaving awareness to the NFL stage.

Make sure to cheer her on and catch her boots on the field this Sunday! ✨👢

#StopTheClot #MyCauseMyBoots #NFL #BloodClotAwareness @nfl

A blood clot diagnosis can leave you with more que

A blood clot diagnosis can leave you with more questions than answers. What’s normal? What’s not? How long will recovery take? And why does it feel like no one else understands what you’re going through?

You don’t have to navigate this by yourself.

Join us on Tuesday, December 9 at 7 p.m. ET for our quarterly PEP Talk for people who are newly diagnosed or still finding their way forward after a clot.

Diane Wirth, MSN, ANP-BC, CACP, a member of NBCA’s Medical & Scientific Advisory Board, will share practical guidance on early recovery, day-to-day management, and how to feel more in control of your health.

We’ll discuss:

✔️ What to expect in the first weeks to months after diagnosis
✔️ Simple habits that support healing and reduce risk
✔️ How to communicate with your care team and get the answers you need

Whether you’re healing yourself or helping someone you love, this session can bring clarity, validation, and a sense of community at a time when it’s needed most.

👉 Register: Link in bio.

#StopTheClot #BloodClots #VTE #NewDiagnosis #BloodClotAwareness

“After a dilation and curettage (D&C), my doctor

“After a dilation and curettage (D&C), my doctor accidentally tore my cervix. I was given medication to stop the bleeding, but I passed out in the hospital from blood loss five days later. My doctor gave me tranexamic acid (TXA) to control the hemorrhaging.

Later that day, I started feeling a burning sensation in my chest. I told the hospital staff, and they performed an EKG, but said everything looked normal. Over the next few days, I continued having episodes of rapid heartbeat (tachycardia) and heaviness in my chest. When I returned to the hospital, they again said everything was fine.

For the next month, my symptoms continued—chest pressure, shoulder pain, and a racing heart—but each time I went back, I was told it was bronchitis, anxiety, or tendonitis. My blood pressure and heart rate remained high, yet my concerns were dismissed.

After another surgery two months later, I woke up with sharp pain in my right ribs and tingling in my arm. I was told it was just post-surgical discomfort. A week later, I developed fever and chest pain, went back to the hospital, and was finally diagnosed with multiple pulmonary emboli (PEs) — blood clots in both lungs.

I spent six months on blood thinners. Mentally, I’m not doing well. I’m afraid of the future, and am still processing how many times my symptoms were overlooked. I was repeatedly told it was just anxiety, but I knew something was wrong.”

If you’ve experienced mental health struggles after a blood clot, you’re not alone. Resources are available at the link in bio.

#StopTheClot #StopTheClotStory #PulmonaryEmbolism #Misdiagnosed #BloodClotAwareness

Fifteen years after surviving her first pulmonary

Fifteen years after surviving her first pulmonary embolism, NBCA Thrombassador Arielle Dance marked her clotiversary with movement, mindfulness, and meaning. ✨

Arielle and her wife recently gathered female friends and loved ones for a dance workout, meditation, and sound bath at @groovetheoryfitness in Maplewood, NJ. They generously raised funds for the National Blood Clot Alliance and honored every “walking miracle” in the room.

Out of the 20 attendees, five were blood clot survivors — including two who had suffered more than one blood clot.

“The event was healing for everyone and was a strong reminder for all the women to take better care of their bodies and spirits,” Arielle said.

Thank you, Arielle, for using your strength and creativity to raise blood clot awareness and inspire others to keep moving, breathing, and honoring our journeys.

Read Arielle’s story and learn how to plan your own awareness event at the link in bio.

#StopTheClot #Clotiversary #BloodClotSurvivor #BloodClotAwareness #BloodClotAwarenessEvent

🎉 Big news for families affected by hereditary

🎉 Big news for families affected by hereditary antithrombin deficiency (hATd).

Announced yesterday, the FDA approved a major update to THROMBATE III® — making it the only antithrombin concentrate approved for both adult and children living with hATd.

hATd is a rare, often undiagnosed inherited condition that greatly increases the risk of dangerous blood clots, including in children and teens. Last year, NBCA hosted a webinar with hematologist Dr. George Rodgers, who shared his research and emphasized the importance of recognizing and managing hATd early in life.

This expanded indication means:

✔ More clarity for families navigating this rare disorder
✔ More confidence for clinicians treating pediatric patients
✔ More options during high-risk moments like surgery, trauma, or childbirth

NBCA remains committed to supporting families impacted by inherited clotting conditions with trusted information and community.

At the link in bio, watch the webinar recording and learn more about this approval.

@grifols_official

#StopTheClot #THROMBATEIII #hATd #AntithrombinDeficiency #Grifols #BloodClotAwareness #GeneticClottingDisorder #RareDisease #Thrombophilia #ATIII

November is National Family Caregiver Month, a tim

November is National Family Caregiver Month, a time to honor the incredible people who provide care and comfort to loved ones facing health challenges, including those navigating life after a blood clot.

Caregivers are the steady link that keeps healing and hope connected. They:

✨ Advocate for timely diagnosis and care

✨ Offer comfort during recovery

✨ Help loved ones manage medications, treatment, and prevention plans, and so much more!

This year’s theme, Plug In To Care, highlights the power of connection. Caregivers thrive when they can easily “plug in” to trusted tools, networks, and educational resources that make the caregiving journey less overwhelming and more supported.

If you’re a caregiver or know someone who is, plug into resources (link in bio) that can help you feel supported every step of the way.

#StopTheClot #NationalFamilyCaregiversMonth #FamilyCaregivers #BloodClotRecovery #BloodClotSurvivor #BloodClotPatient

📅 Save the date — #GivingTuesday is December

📅 Save the date — #GivingTuesday is December 2!

Every second counts when it comes to saving lives from blood clots. In the time it takes to read this post, someone in the U.S. could be hospitalized — or even die — from a preventable blood clot. But together, we can change that.

This Giving Tuesday, join the National Blood Clot Alliance in taking action. Your support powers lifesaving education, awareness, and research that help people recognize the signs of blood clots before it’s too late.

🔗 Let’s make every second count and every gift matter. Download our Giving Tuesday toolkit at the link in bio.

🔗 Want to take your support even further? Create a Facebook fundraiser for NBCA this Giving Tuesday. More info at the link in bio.

#StopTheClot #GivingTuesday2025 #GlobalGenerosity #BloodClotAwareness

“In May of this year, I took a short flight, onl

“In May of this year, I took a short flight, only about two and a half hours one way, and soon after, I noticed a cramping sensation in my right calf. I assumed it was just soreness or dehydration, so I ignored it for a couple of days. When the pain didn’t go away, I contacted my doctor (thanks to my mom’s advice — she kept saying something didn’t seem right). They instructed me to go to the hospital to get checked out.

Everyone told me it was unlikely to be a blood clot because of my age, but they ran tests anyway. It turned out I had a confirmed DVT in my right calf. Because of some existing medical concerns, they didn’t start me on blood thinners right away and instead scheduled weekly ultrasounds to monitor it. At my second appointment a week later, they found that I actually had three separate clots in my calf instead of one.

I was told to go to the ER if I experienced chest pain or shortness of breath, but at the time, I felt fine. The next day, while walking my dog, I suddenly became short of breath and noticed my heart rate was unusually high for the amount of effort — even though it was a walk I did multiple times a day. I called my doctor, and they told me to go straight to the ER. They even called ahead out of concern for a possible pulmonary embolism.

My mom and I waited about 12 hours in the ER before I was finally taken back. I was just about to leave when they called me in. A CT scan showed numerous clots in both lungs — the doctor couldn’t give me a number but said they were extensive. I was admitted for the weekend, started on a heparin drip, and later transitioned to twice-daily blood thinners.

All of this was caused by my birth control use. My symptoms were minor and almost overlooked because of my age, and I’ve never been more scared. Always pay attention to changes in your body and advocate for yourself, no matter what anyone says.

The NBCA has been a godsend for me. I have learned so much and the website along with others sharing their stories and experiences have provided me so much knowledge and comfort.”

More stories: Link in bio.

#StopTheClot #BirthControl #Travel #BloodClotAwareness #PE #DVT

📷 A remarkable moment featuring two of our extr

📷 A remarkable moment featuring two of our extraordinary NBCA volunteers is up for a national photo contest—and we’d love your vote!

Our submission features Arshell Brooks Harris, who is NBCA’s Board Secretary, and her husband Andre Harris. The photo was taken on Capitol Hill, where the B.L.A.C.K. (Black Lives Advocating for Clot Knowledge) Church Bus Tour officially launched after meetings with Congressional staffers about the urgent need for blood clot awareness and education funding.

From there, Arshell and Andre traveled thousands of miles across the South, visiting churches to deliver blood clot education, share life-saving resources, and listen to the experiences of underserved communities. Their dedication and compassion helped bring NBCA’s mission directly to people who need it most. The photo serves as a powerful reminder of how dedicated volunteers drive this mission forward.

🙌 Help us lift up this work and raise awareness nationwide. Cast your vote: Link in bio!

Thank you! Winners will be announced December 10.

@shelly_shell69 @nonprofitsinsurance

#StopTheClot #NonprofitInsuranceAlliance #PhotoContest #NonprofitImpact

🩺 Medicare Open Enrollment is here — October

🩺 Medicare Open Enrollment is here — October 15 to December 7!

If you take blood thinners or other long-term medications, this is the time to review your plan and make sure your prescriptions and providers will still be covered next year.

✅ Check that your anticoagulant (blood thinner) is on your plan’s formulary.

✅ Compare pharmacy costs across plans.

✅ Review any changes to your preferred doctors or specialists.

Even small changes in coverage can make a big difference in your care and costs.

👉 Download this helpful new infographic for changes to the 2026 Medicare Part D program: Link in bio.

#MedicareOpenEnrollment #Medicare2025 #StopTheClot #VTEAwareness #Anticoagulation #BloodClots

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