100,000 Reasons Challenge

In 2017, I experienced a blood clot in my right calf after having ankle surgery.  I was prescribed 3 months of blood thinners and didn't experience any pain after those 3 months were up.

Fast forward to early 2018, and I developed some upper back pain that would come and go.  I thought nothing of my clot the year prior, and felt as though I had a pinched nerve, because that's basically what I felt like was going on.  I started seeing a chiropractor for adjustments hoping that would help.  One night, the pain had gotten so bad that I couldn't lay in bed without this overwhelming feeling that I was suffocating.  I began to panic.  Everything started to click in my head.  I remembered the blood clot conversation I had with my podiatrist in 2017 and Googled 'pulmonary embolism symptoms'.  I immediately drove to the emergency room.  After some chest x-rays, it was confirmed that I had clots in my lungs.  They began blood thinner treatments and I was sent home a couple of days later.  

I had a follow up with a hematologist who did some further testing.  Thankfully, they confirmed that I didn't have any clotting disorders.  In the hematologists professional opinion, he figured I would have had a clot at some point due to the hormonal birth control I was on.  I had been on various forms of birth control since I was 16.  At the time of the clot, I had just turned 30.  He also stated that the ankle surgery likely accelerated the formation of the clot.  

I was put on blood thinners for a year.  Thankfully, I am very healthy now with no further issues.  

Fast forward to 2024, my best friend lost her life to a PE at the young age of 43.  She did have some shortness of breath leading up to her death, but she figured she was just out of shape and needed to be more diligent about fitness.  Post mortem, they discovered that she did have a clotting disorder she knew nothing about.  She was on birth control most of her adult life.  

The more I talk to women about PE's, the more I find out they or someone they know had one.  This is all too common amongst women, and some of it can be prevented. 

I am hoping that by creating this fundraiser, we can create more awareness, testing for disorders, and help women live long and healthy lives, free of clots.

Every year, more than 100,000 lives are lost due to blood clots, often a preventable and treatable condition. The National Blood Clot Alliance (NBCA), a dedicated nonprofit organization, is working tirelessly to raise awareness, improve prevention, and provide education to save lives.

By donating to NBCA, you are helping fund life-saving education, research, and outreach efforts that can prevent blood clot-related deaths.

Every contribution, no matter the size, makes a difference. Please consider donating to this important cause to help save lives.