The National Blood Clot Alliance (NBCA) is honored to again team with the Association of Black Women Attorneys (ABWA) on a 5k Walk to raise awareness about blood clots. ABWA’s Community Service Committee will be hosting the 2nd Annual 5k Walk on Sunday, March 27, 2011 in recognition of March being Blood Clot Awareness Month. The Walk begins at 11:00 AM at the Bartel Pritchard Square Entrance of Prospect Park (Prospect Park West and 15th Street) in Brooklyn, NY, with check -in beginning at 10:00 AM.
Blood clots affect individuals and families more than most people realize. Annually, approximately 350,000 – 600,000 Americans have blood clots in the leg (deep vein thrombosis or DVT) or in the lung (pulmonary embolism or PE). With 1 out of 3 blood clots being fatal, about 100,000 people die from a blood clot each year. In the greater New York City area (NYC, NJ, CT), there are 56,250 blood clots and 18,750 deaths annually, many of which can be prevented. National Blood Clot Alliance wants to make sure those individuals with blood clots, and their families, experience outcomes of early recognition, quality healthcare, and renewed life.
Dr. Garth Graham from the Office of Minority Health at the Department of Health and Human Services has focused on recent data that African American’s are at a higher risk to develop blood clots than other communities. This message personally impacted Traci Wilkes Smith, Vice President of the Board of Directors of the National Blood Clot Alliance and a member of ABWA. Traci survived a DVT and PE a few years ago, while in her mid-20s. She is acutely aware of the threat to life that she experienced, and is working hard to educate others about the fact that lives can be saved if blood clots are recognized and treated right away. Traci, grateful for the support and education she received from the National Blood Clot Alliance following her clotting incident, states “I am thrilled to be able to bring ABWA and National Blood Clot Alliance together again to raise funds and awareness for this important cause. The information I learned about blood clots and clotting disorders through the National Blood Clot Alliance has been critically important to me and my family. I encourage others to become involved and make a difference in the vital mission of this organization.”
There are many ways to make a difference:
· Register to walk and/or create a personal fundraising page http://www.firstgiving.com/nbca/Event/abwa.
· Support the National Blood Clot Alliance through sponsorship of the 2nd Annual 5k Walk. Click here to view the sponsorship form.
· Recruit friends, family members and business associates to form a Walk Team.
· Donate to National Blood Clot Alliance by visiting http://www.firstgiving.com/nbca/Event/abwa .
The National Blood Clot Alliance is a patient led advocacy group formed as a non-profit organization in 2004 whose mission is to prevent, diagnose and treat thrombosis and thrombophilia through research, education, support and advocacy. NBCA provides patient education and professional training about the signs, symptoms and prevention of blood clots and clotting disorders. For additional information about clotting disorders or the activities of the NBCA, contact Judi Kaplan Elkin at jelkin@stoptheclot.org .
CONTACT:
Traci Wilkes Smith at traciwsmith@yahoo.com or Judi Kaplan Elkin at jelkin@StopTheClot.org or 617.529.1054
