March is Blood Clot Awareness Month 2024
Join Us to Save Lives During Blood Clot Awareness Month
Join the National Blood Clot Alliance (NBCA) in spreading awareness about life-threatening blood clots. Every year, more than 100,000 people die from blood clots in the U.S. Yet, blood clots are often preventable and can be safely treated when caught in time.
Taking quick action when the signs and symptoms of blood clots appear saves lives. Know the signs and symptoms represented by STOP CLOT to protect yourself and your loved ones.
— Ready to make a difference?
Join the 100,000 Reasons Challenge. Did you know that staying active is a key way to prevent blood clots? Make your miles matter by participating in our month-long virtual fitness challenge, dedicated to the memory of the 100,000 people who lose their lives annually due to blood clots.
Sign up to run, walk, ride, or move your body however you choose. Set your own mileage and fundraising goals for added flexibility.
Other Ways To Support BCAM 2024
Send a Letter to Your Congressional Representatives
Did you know there is little federal funding for blood clot education and awareness efforts in the U.S.? Help NBCA advocate for funding to support new education and awareness programs to reach more people with life-saving information about blood clots. Just type in your zip code and send an email or letter to your Congressional representatives. Your voice matters!
Share Your Signs and Symptoms on Social Media
If you’ve experienced deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism, how did you know it was time to seek medical attention?
By sharing your blood clot signs and symptoms, you can spread awareness and possibly save lives.
Here’s how to help: During March, post a short video on social media describing your blood clot signs and symptoms and use the hashtags #BCAM2024, #BCAM and #StopTheClot. Make sure to tag @StopTheClot.
Sign Up for Community Thrombassador Training
NBCA Community Thrombassador program is a network of patients, caregivers, and family members committed to spreading blood clot education, awareness, and prevention in their communities. In partnership with local organizations, Thrombassadors share their personal stories — and life-saving information — about blood clots. Thrombassadors promote the prevention, early diagnosis and treatment of life-threatening blood clots among their neighbors, friends, and colleagues. Become empowered to speak out in your local community today!
Make a Memorial Gift
A meaningful way to honor the lives of those lost to blood clots is to provide vital support that helps fuel NBCA in the pursuit of creating a future in which fewer lives are lost to preventable blood clots. Your tax-deductible donation will go directly to work helping to advance the prevention, early diagnosis, and successful treatment of life-threatening blood clots.
Share Your Loved One's Story
To honor the 100,000 individuals lost to blood clots annually in the U.S., we invite their loved ones to share their stories, which we will share on our website and social media. Sharing your loved one’s story is a meaningful action you can take to help raise awareness, educate others about signs and symptoms, promote prevention, and foster a supportive community for those affected.
Share Content From NBCA's Social Media Toolkit and Action Guide
Download the 2024 BCAM Social Media Toolkit and Action Guide for shareable graphics and messaging, including the STOP CLOT acronym for blood clot signs and symptoms. Help contribute to a broader public health conversation, empower others with knowledge, and protect yourself and your loved ones.
Follow Along
Make sure you are following @StopTheClot on all social platforms to stay in the know and share. Be the first to learn about exciting new initiatives, including the launch of NBCA’s digital billboard campaign in Times Square; new episodes of NBCA’s Taking a Breath podcast; and new PEP Talks.
- Facebook: facebook.com/stoptheclot
- Instagram: instagram.com/stoptheclot
- X: twitter.com/StopTheClot
- TikTok: tiktok.com/@stoptheclot
- YouTube: youtube.com/@stoptheclot
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How did Blood Clot Awareness Month start?
In 2003, while covering the war in Iraq for NBC News, journalist David Bloom died of a blood clot that formed in his leg and traveled to his lungs.
In memory of Bloom, a U.S. Senate bill in 2005, sponsored by Arlen Specter (R-PA), declared March Deep Vein Thrombosis Awareness Month.
In 2009, Representatives Lois Capps (D-CA) and Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) came together in an bipartisan effort to reinforce March as a time to focus on blood clots. Capps’ husband Walter died of a pulmonary embolism (PE) in 2006, and a friend and mentor of McMorris Rodgers, Rep. Jennifer Dunn, died of a PE in 2007.
Why is it called Blood Clot Awareness Month?
In 2010, NBCA conducted a nationwide survey that showed that 82% of the general population understood the term “blood clot,” while only 21% knew the meaning of “deep vein thrombosis (DVT)” and 16% knew the meaning of “pulmonary embolism (PE).”
This was a problem, as the month was named Deep Vein Thrombosis Awareness Month, but it was not catching on.
As a result, NBCA officially commemorated March as Blood Clot Awareness Month in 2013, and we’ve been marking it every year since.
