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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Legislative Update: Blake Burgess Act Advances in Oklahoma

We are pleased to share that House Bill 3644 (HB 3644), the “Blake Burgess Act,” passed through the House yesterday.…

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National Blood Clot Alliance Applauds New Multi-Society Clinical Guidelines for Acute Pulmonary Embolism

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Blood Clot Alliance (NBCA) celebrates a landmark moment in cardiovascular health as the American Heart Association…

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

TONIGHT! Join our PEP Talk (“Patients Educating

TONIGHT! Join our PEP Talk (“Patients Educating Patients”), where we’ll discuss what to expect after a new blood-clot diagnosis. Learn how to navigate medications, follow-up care, where to find reliable resources and a supportive community, etc.

📅 Tuesday, March 10 at 7 p.m. ET
It’s not too late to join!

👉 Register: https://bit.ly/March2026PEPTalk
(or at the link in bio)

Can't make the live event? Register anyway to get the recording sent straight to your inbox.

#StopTheClot #BloodClot #VTE #NewDiagnosis #BloodClotAwareness #PulmonaryEmbolism

Michael Matthews is one of the world’s top profe

Michael Matthews is one of the world’s top professional cyclists, known for his success on some of the biggest stages in the sport. But despite being incredibly fit and training for the Tour de France, he developed multiple blood clots in his lungs, known as pulmonary embolisms, or PEs.

At first, Michael struggled to make sense of what was happening. He was doing the same training he had always done, yet suddenly felt like he couldn’t breathe and described it as feeling “underwater,” with no oxygen in his lungs. Because he is such a highly trained athlete, the warning signs were not immediately obvious. Thankfully, his wife recognized that something was seriously wrong and urged him to go to the hospital, where scans revealed multiple clots in his lungs.

Now Michael is using his voice to remind others that blood clots can happen to anyone. This March, his story is a powerful reminder that no one is invincible, and that being “Strong Enough to Ask” and getting checked when something feels off can save your life.

Join Michael and the NBCA community in the 100,000 Reasons Challenge. Together we’ll get up, walk, run, ride, and roll, tracking and sharing our progress along the way. It’s not too late to join!

🚶🏽‍♂️‍➡️ Move for remembrance.
🏃🏼‍♀️ Move for awareness.
🚴🏾 Move for your physical and mental health.
🛼 Move so fewer lives are lost.

💜 New this year: If you want to support without tracking your miles, you can still make a powerful impact by fundraising, sharing resources, and cheering others on.

Click here to join or find the link in our bio:
bit.ly/100kReasons2026

And look out for the full interview with Michael Matthews when he joins us for the April episode of Taking a Breath: a Stop the Clot podcast.

#StrongEnoughToAsk #StopTheClot #BloodClotAwarenessMonth #BloodClotSurvivor #PulmonaryEmbolism #bloodclots #bloodclotawarenessmonth #bcam2026 #vte #dvt #pe #deepveinthrombosis #pulmonaryembolism #bloodclotawareness #bloodcloteducation

Blood clots are often thought of as an adult condi

Blood clots are often thought of as an adult condition — but venous thromboembolism (VTE) is increasingly recognized in children, especially among hospitalized or medically complex patients.

Join us March 11 at 12 PM ET for a live educational webinar featuring Neil Goldenberg, MD, PhD, Pediatric Hematologist at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital and member of the National Blood Clot Alliance Medical & Scientific Advisory Board.

During this session, we’ll discuss:
✔️ Key pediatric VTE risk factors
✔️ Diagnostic challenges unique to children
✔️ Practical guidance for treatment and management

This program is designed for healthcare professionals, but patients, families, and anyone interested in learning more are welcome to attend.

🔗 Register here: https://bit.ly/PedVTEWebinar

#StopTheClot #BloodClotAwarenessMonth #VTEAwareness #PediatricHealth #BloodClots

Tomorrow is your next PEP Talk (“Patients Educat

Tomorrow is your next PEP Talk (“Patients Educating Patients”), where we’ll discuss what to expect after a new blood-clot diagnosis. Learn how to navigate medications, follow-up care, where to find reliable resources and a supportive community, etc.

📅 Tuesday, March 10 at 7 p.m. ET

It’s not too late to join!

👉 Register: https://bit.ly/March2026PEPTalk
(or at the link in bio)

Can't make the live event? Register anyway to get the recording sent straight to your inbox.

#StopTheClot #BloodClot #VTE #NewDiagnosis #BloodClotAwareness #PulmonaryEmbolism

Today is the start of Patient Safety Awareness Wee

Today is the start of Patient Safety Awareness Week (March 8-14). This is a great time to learn how you can protect yourself and your loved ones from blood clots while hospitalized!

It’s important to know that being in the hospital places you at increased risk for the development of a deadly blood clot, particularly if you are dealing with surgery, a physical trauma, or a serious illness like cancer.

Check out this blood-clot prevention plan.

And learn more, here: https://www.stoptheclot.org/spreadtheword/hospitalization/

#bloodclot #stoptheclot #pulmonaryembolism #patientsafetyawarenessweek

🩸 A blood clot diagnosis can turn your world up

🩸 A blood clot diagnosis can turn your world upside down. Questions, fear, and uncertainty are normal, but you don’t have to navigate this alone!

NBCA’s New Patient Guide was created to help you understand what comes next after a blood clot diagnosis. It will walk you through the typical stages of the blood clot journey — diagnosis, treatment, recovery, and prevention — and explain what to expect at each step.

Whether you’ve been diagnosed with a DVT, PE, or another type of venous blood clot — or you’re caring for someone who has — this guide is here to support you every step of the way. 📖

Download it, here: https://bit.ly/NBCANewPatientGuide
or find the link in our bio.

#stoptheclot #bloodclot #pulmonaryembolism #factorvleiden #prothrombin #healthresources

Nicola’s collapse was initially diagnosed as a h

Nicola’s collapse was initially diagnosed as a heart attack. Meanwhile, precious time had passed before eventually discovering the massive pulmonary embolism in her lungs.

This March for Blood Clot Awareness Month and the message is **#StrongEnoughToAsk**

Because being strong doesn’t mean toughing it out. It means **listening to your body, asking questions, and advocating for yourself when something doesn’t feel right.**

Read Nicola’s full story: https://www.stoptheclot.org/patient-stories/

#StopTheClot #BloodClotAwareness #DVT #Pregnancy #KnowTheSigns #PatientStory #BCAM2026 #StrongEnoughToAsk

🩸 Show your support for Blood Clot Awareness Mo

Community Spotlight: Dr. Kakneka Mason This Blood

Community Spotlight: Dr. Kakneka Mason
This Blood Clot Awareness Month (BCAM), we’re proud to highlight Dr. Kakneka Mason — an NBCA Board Member, Community Thrombassador, pharmacist, and two-time pulmonary embolism survivor.

After experiencing an extensive pulmonary embolism related to oral contraceptives, followed by a second PE after surgery, Dr. Mason turned her experience into advocacy. Today, she works to raise awareness about life-threatening blood clots, especially among underserved minorities and athletes.

At an event last week, Dr. Mason brought this mission directly into her community by sharing blood clot education and resources with members of her Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

This March, advocates like Dr. Mason are helping amplify a powerful message: There is strength in listening to your body and being #StrongEnoughToAsk.

You can support Blood Clot Awareness Month by joining the 100,000 Reasons Challenge, where participants get active while raising awareness and funds to prevent blood clots.

👉 Learn more or register: https://bit.ly/100kReasons2026 (or in the link in our bio)

Every step helps us remember the 100,000 lives lost to blood clots each year and advance prevention, education, and research.

@ka.kne.ka
#stoptheclot #vte #bloodclots #BCAM2026 #BloodClotAwarenessMonth2026 #bloodclotawareness #bloodclotpatient #bloodclotsurvivor #strongenoughtoask

❤️‍🩹 If you or a loved one has been recen

❤️‍🩹 If you or a loved one has been recently diagnosed with a blood clot, this is for you.

Join our series of “Patients Educating Patients” (”PEP”) Talks. This month, we’ll cover Blood Clots 101, what to expect after a diagnosis, common challenges, and steps you can take to manage your health. You’ll also learn how to navigate medications and follow-up care, and where to find reliable resources and a supportive community.

📅 Tuesday, March 10 at 7 p.m. ET

👉 Register: https://bit.ly/March2026PEPTalk
(or at the link in bio)

Can't make the live event? Register anyway to get the recording sent straight to your inbox.

#StopTheClot #BloodClot #VTE #NewDiagnosis #BloodClotAwareness #PulmonaryEmbolism

Katie Hoff is an 8x World Champion and 3x Olympic

Katie Hoff is an 8x World Champion and 3x Olympic medalist swimmer, hailed as the “female Michael Phelps.” But despite being young and incredibly fit, she was forced to retire from the sport in 2015 due to the development of blood clots in her lung, known as pulmonary embolisms, or PEs.

Although initially diagnosed with a muscle strain and asthma, Katie knew something didn’t feel right. She stood up and advocated for her own health and eventually convinced her doctors to perform a CAT scan, which revealed the two clots in her lungs.

Now she is a passionate advocate for blood-clot awareness and education. This March, she reminds us that trusting your gut when something is off and being “Strong Enough to Ask” can literally save lives!

Join Katie and the NBCA community in the 100,000 Reasons Challenge. Together we’ll get up, walk, run, ride, and roll, tracking and sharing our progress along the way.

🚶🏽‍♂️‍➡️ Move for remembrance.
🏃🏼‍♀️ Move for awareness.
🚴🏾 Move for your physical and mental health.
🛼 Move so fewer lives are lost.

💜 New this year: If you want to support without tracking your miles, you can still make a powerful impact by fundraising, sharing resources, and cheering others on.

Click here to join or find the link in our bio:
bit.ly/100kReasons2026

@kthoff7
#StrongEnoughToAsk #StopTheClot #BloodClotAwarenessMonth #BloodClotSurvivor #PulmonaryEmbolism #bloodclots #bloodclotawarenessmonth #bcam2026 #vte #dvt #pe #deepveinthrombosis #pulmonaryembolism #bloodclotawareness #bloodcloteducation

A big thank you to Inquis Medical for going all in

A big thank you to Inquis Medical for going all in on the 100,000 Reasons Challenge this Blood Clot Awareness Month.

They sponsored registration for every employee on their team to participate — helping raise awareness while honoring the nearly 100,000 Americans who die from blood clots each year.

Movement. Awareness. Community. This is exactly what the challenge is about.

💡 Do you think your workplace or company would sponsor a team to participate?

Many organizations support employee wellness initiatives, and the 100,000 Reasons Challenge is a simple way to bring teams together for a meaningful cause.

Walk, run, ride, or roll — every mile helps raise awareness and save lives.

🔗 https://bit.ly/100kReasons2026

Breaking news from Oklahoma! Today, House Bill 36

Breaking news from Oklahoma!

Today, House Bill 3644, the “Blake Burgess Act,” passed through the House. This life-saving legislation now moves to the Senate, with the goal of reaching Governor Stitt’s desk to be signed into law.

This bill is named in memory of Blake Burgess, who tragically passed away at age 21 due to a pulmonary embolism. With better awareness and standardized screening protocols, many of these cases are preventable. We appreciate the Burgess family for their advocacy and dedication to ensuring no other family faces this same loss.

Following the 2025 Emily Adkins Family Prevention Act, this marks another critical step in the national movement to improve blood clot prevention and care. The bill establishes key safety standards, including:
- Proactive VTE protocols in hospitals and surgical centers.
- Mandatory staff training on prevention and symptom recognition.
- A new statewide VTE registry to track data and improve patient outcomes.

A huge thank you to Rep. Preston Stinson, Sen. Kelly Hines, and Rep. Nick Archer for championing this vital cause. Onward to the Senate!

#BlakeBurgessAct #PatientSafety #BloodClotAwarenessMonth #OklahomaLegislature

At 20 years old and 29 weeks pregnant, Olivia went

At 20 years old and 29 weeks pregnant, Olivia went to the ER four times in seven days with severe back and leg pain. She was told it was muscular pain. Then a kidney stone. Then sciatica.

Two days later, she was wheeled back in. Her legs were purple. Her ankles were swollen. The pain ran from her ankles to her back.

A repeat scan revealed extensive DVT — her entire right leg filled with blood clots.

She was hospitalized from February 12 until she delivered on April 4. During that time, she developed another clot in her opposite leg and was transferred out of state to deliver safely. She spent her 21st birthday in the hospital.

Her baby was born with minor complications — but they both survived.

Today, she is one year post-clot survival and expecting again, this time with a proactive treatment plan in place.

Her message:
“Listen to your body. Even if you aren’t sure. Even if you’re told it’s nothing. Ask again. It’s better to be safe than sorry.”

Because here’s the truth:
Asking questions is not overreacting.
Going back to the ER is not being dramatic.
Advocating for yourself is not being difficult.

It is being #StrongEnoughToAsk

Read her full story: https://www.stoptheclot.org/patient-stories/

#StopTheClot #BloodClotAwareness #DVT #Pregnancy #KnowTheSigns #PatientStory #BCAM2026 #StrongEnoughToAsk

Being diagnosed with a blood clot can be scary and

Being diagnosed with a blood clot can be scary and confusing.

We can help you navigate that.

📅 Join us Tuesday, March 10 at 7 p.m. ET for a special PEP Talk designed for those who are newly diagnosed or still learning about life after a clot.

Our featured medical expert, Diane Wirth, MSN, ANP-BC, CACP, and member of NBCA’s Medical & Scientific Advisory Board, will guide you through what to expect and how to move forward with confidence.

During this PEP Talk, you’ll learn:
- What to expect after a blood clot diagnosis and common challenges patients face.
- Essential steps for effective self-care and risk reduction.
- How to navigate medical terminology, medications, and follow-up care.
- Where to find reliable resources and build a supportive care network.

Whether you’re newly diagnosed or supporting a loved one, this PEP Talk is designed to help you move forward with clarity and confidence.

👉 Register for this live event, here : https://bit.ly/Mar2026PEPTalk
or click the link in our bio.

Do you have questions that you would like to be answered during this session? Submit them during registration, or send them here: PEPquestions@stoptheclot.org

#StopTheClot #BloodClot #VTE #NewDiagnosis #BloodClotAwareness #PulmonaryEmbolism

Blood clots are a public health crisis—yet aware

Blood clots are a public health crisis—yet awareness remains dangerously low.

Every year in the U.S.:
🔴 900,000 people are affected by blood clots (DVT/PE).
⚠️ 100,000 lives are lost—more than breast cancer, HIV, and car crashes combined.

Despite these staggering numbers, many people don’t know the signs and symptoms of blood clots until it’s too late.

Advocating for national awareness and federal funding for blood clots is a complex process that requires efforts at the federal, state, and local levels. That’s why we need YOUR help!

Here are two powerful ways you can get involved:
1. Advocate for Federal Funding – Your voice can make a significant impact. Help secure critical funding by reaching out to your local Congressional representatives and pushing for support for blood clot prevention and education funding. A huge thank you to all who have already submitted requests—let’s keep the momentum going! Take action here https://bit.ly/ClotAdvocate2026 (or at link in bio).
2. Submit a Request for a State Proclamation – Advocate for your state to declare March as Blood Clot Awareness Month and raise awareness right where you live. Remember, these proclamations are valid for only one year, so they must be requested and renewed annually in each state. We need your help to ensure every state is involved! ➡️ Visit your Governor’s official website and search ‘proclamation request’ to get started. Email [advocacy@stoptheclot.org](mailto:advocacy@stoptheclot.org) for assistance on getting BCAM recognized in your state.

Too many lives are being lost unnecessarily from this silent killer. By making blood clot awareness a priority at the state and federal levels, we can drive education, encourage early detection, and save lives.

#stoptheclot #BloodClotAwarenessMonth #BCAM2026 #bloodcloteducation #bloodclotprevention #stateresolutions

Blood clot awareness month is here! Today begins o

Blood clot awareness month is here!
Today begins our 31 day challenge to get active, track your steps, raise funds, and spread awareness.

It's not too late to sign up as a participant or simply as a supporter.
👉 Sign up today at https://bit.ly/100kReasons2026 (or in the link in our bio)

Every move and donation you make helps remember the 100,000 lives lost each year to blood clots. Plus, your registration is 100% tax-deductible.

#stoptheclot #vte #bloodclots #BCAM2026 #BloodClotAwarenessMonth2026 #bloodclotawareness #bloodclotpatient #bloodclotsurvivor #strongenoughtoask

1️⃣ One day until BCAM. 100,000 reasons to mov

1️⃣ One day until BCAM. 100,000 reasons to move with purpose.
Tomorrow we begin the 100,000 Reasons Challenge — moving together to honor the 100,000 Americans who die each year from blood clots, many of them preventable.

Move for remembrance.
Move for awareness.
Move for your physical and mental health.
Move so fewer lives are lost.

Join us for 31 days of movement to help prevent deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism — and to honor those we've lost.

⏳ Early registration pricing ends tonight at 11:59 p.m.
👉 Sign up today at https://bit.ly/100kReasons2026 (or in the link in our bio)

#stoptheclot #vte #bloodclots #BCAM2026 #BloodClotAwarenessMonth2026 #bloodclotawareness #bloodclotpatient #bloodclotsurvivor

What started as a sudden “charley horse” in he

What started as a sudden “charley horse” in her left arm quickly became discoloration, stiffness, and a lump she couldn’t ignore. Trusting her instincts (and having a doctor who listened) led to a diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) caused by Factor V Leiden, an inherited blood clotting condition her family didn’t even know they carried.

Today, she’s back to living a full college life and hopes to become a pharmacist — but her story is a powerful reminder: blood clots don’t always look the way we expect, and speaking up about symptoms can save a life.

Know the signs. Trust your body. Seek care when something feels wrong.

Read the full story, more stories from patients and families, and share your own experience here:
https://www.stoptheclot.org/patient-stories/
or find the link in our bio

#StopTheClot #StopTheClotStory #BloodClotAwareness #DVT #FactorVLeiden #PatientStories #BloodClotSurvivor @rachtrevino

Blood Clot Awareness Month starts in just 2 days!

Blood Clot Awareness Month starts in just 2 days!

We created the 100,000 Reasons Challenge to encourage healthy physical activity, which can help to prevent pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis, and to honor the 100,000 Americans who die every year from these often preventable conditions.

The challenge kicks off March 1, so sign up and let’s make every move count!

👉 Sign up today to secure your registration before prices increase after February 28, 2026 at 11:59pm EST.

💜 New this year: If you want to support without tracking your miles, you can still make a powerful impact by fundraising, sharing resources, and cheering others on.

Sign Up: https://bit.ly/100kReasons2026
or find the link in our bio

#stoptheclot #BloodClotAwarenessMonth2026 #100KReasonsChallenge2026 #bloodclotawareness #BCAM2026 #strongenoughtoask

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