If you’re a Facebook fan, you may have seen my recent posts about athletes who are racing in upcoming events to help Stop the Clot. The National Blood Clot Alliance (NBCA), aptly named Stop the Clot is a non-profit, voluntary health organization dedicated to advancing the prevention, early diagnosis and successful treatment of life-threatening blood clots such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE) and clot-provoked stroke. NBCA works on behalf of people who may be susceptible to blood clots, including, but not limited to, people with clotting disorders, atrial fibrillation, cancer, traumatic injury, and risks related to surgery, lengthy immobility, child birth and birth control and accomplishes its mission through programs that build public awareness as well as educate doctors and patients alike.
Blood clots can affect anyone, of any age, whether they are active and healthy or not. I was running regularly and eating right when a blood clot in my leg that I thought was a pulled muscle traveled through my heart and lodged in my left lung, causing a massive pulmonary embolism that nearly claimed my life. If you don’t know the signs of blood clots – particularly those in your leg or lung, read about them here. It could save your life or the life of someone you know. No one is exempt from the possibility of a blood clot.
Over a year later, I am still on the road to recovery – although I am much better than I was. I have found numerous resources and support groups through Facebook and other activist groups which inspired me to begin my own awareness site and blog called Blood Clot Recovery Network. One of the groups that I was fortunate to find and join is Running After A Pulmonary Embolism – a must-join site for any runner or triathlete who has suffered from the devastation of a blood clot.
I recently found that several members of this group are running, swimming and/or biking their way to raise awareness for Stop the Clot and further promote blood clot awareness.
Even if you can’t donate to the cause, please take a few minutes to read each of these athlete’s stories. Every one echoes my own in some way and remind me of how easily a blood clot can happen to any of us, without us knowing and completely change our lives. If you can, please share among your pages, profiles, feeds and blogs and of course, if you are able, please consider donating to help these athletes Stop the Clot.
Chris will be racing Ironman Canada (swimming 2.4 miles, cycling 112 miles, and running 26.2 miles in less than 17 hours) on August 25, 2013.
As some of you know, I suffered multiple bilateral [both lungs] PEs in July 2009, and again in March 2010, resulting in a lifetime of anticoagulants to prevent another occurrence. I was one of the lucky ones, as evidenced by actor Dennis Farina’s death from PEs. I will be wearing a Stop the Clot jersey and racing in honor of those that have suffered from clots, those that have passed away, and those that will suffer in the future. Most importantly, by finishing this 140.6 mile race, I hope to set an example that being on anticoagulants does not mean you cannot continue to do the things that most inspire and challenge you.
Please read Chris’ story, share and/or consider making a donation HERE.
Crystal is racing the NYC Marathon on November 03, 2013.
Late last July my husband and I had just got back from a vacation in Utah when I noticed extreme tiredness, lack of energy and rapid heart rate. After brushing it off for a few days as jetlag, I finally went to seek medical help and was diagnosed with bilateral PE with infract. My lungs were completely riddled with blood clots. All of this seemed like a bad dream. I had just turned 30 a few months before and didn’t seem possible that someone that ate relatively healthy and exercised a great deal could be faced with this problem. My lifestyle went from running marathons and double workout days to barely being able to walk up the stairs. Read more about my story on my blog.
Please read Crystal’s story, share and/or consider making a donation HERE.
Roland “The Clot Buster” is racing the NYC Marathon on November 03, 2013.
The Clot Buster’s polka-dots will be running across the streets of NYC and I hope you get come along with me on this journey that I am about to undertake. I am taking with me the many stories of blood clot survivors who will drive me each and every stride of this race. Please read more about these inspiring blood clot survivors on my blog.
Please read Roland’s story, share and/or consider making a donation HERE.
Eric is racing the NYC Marathon on November 03, 2013.
For those who have asked why I run as much as I do or have even called me crazy: In 2011, I had DVTs in my leg and Pulmonary emboli (PE) in my lungs. DVT and PE = Blood Clots. I could barely walk around the hospital floor. 100,000 people die in the US each year as a result of DVT/PE. Or, to look at it on a smaller scale 1 in 3. This easily could have been me. he emotional and physical pain and fatigue I have felt running marathons is not in the same realm as what I experienced after blood clots. It has been a long 20 months but I have battled back. I’m a lot slower than I used to be but I can run again!
Please read Eric’s story, share and/or consider making a donation HERE.
So, there you have it! These people have all inspired me in one way or another. From Roland’s feature of my own blood clot story on his blog, to Eric, Crystal and Chris all supporting me as I ran my first steps and my first 5K since I was hospitalized – these individuals already make a difference in the lives of a blood clot survivor like me. Please help them make a difference to thousands more!
Until the next mile marker,
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