The National Blood Clot Alliance (NBCA) is honored to be the recipient of funds being raised by the Blood Clot Awareness 5k Fun Run (and 1 mile Walk) in Austin Texas, on Sunday, May 22, 2011.  Held on the grounds of The Reserve on Lake Travis participants will be able to use The Reserve’s incredible facilities throughout the day!  This includes the infinity pool over Lake Travis, the lazy river, swim-up bar, water-slide, kids swim area, lake access, food and drink specials and more!

Thanks to race organizer and blood clot survivor, Kara King of Austin, and her husband, Ben, along with  the generosity of Red McComb and Hal Jones of The Reserve at Lake Travis, this inaugural event will promote patient and public awareness of signs and symptoms of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE).  Each year about 100,000 people die from blood clots in the deep veins or lungs, making it one of leading causes of death in the United States. Data from the Surgeon General’s office indicates that in Texas there are nearly 8,000 blood clot related deaths annually, many of which can be prevented.

Kara, a mother of 3 young children, suffered a severe pulmonary embolism in September of 2011.  Despite Kara being well aware of the symptoms of DVT and PE, Kara’s leg pain was initially misdiagnosed as a muscle pull. Grateful to her vascular surgeon, Jeffrey Apple, MD, and her hematologist, Beth Hellerstedt, MD, for saving her life, Kara has made it her personal mission to increase blood clot awareness in an effort to save the lives of others. “This is the only way I have to fight back against this clot that has taken so much from me. I can't get rid of the clot in my leg, but I can help prevent YOU or someone you love from getting one! As a firm believer in the mission of the National Blood Clot Alliance, I’m thrilled to be involved with their organization in raising funds and building awareness” stated Kara.

Even though specialized knowledge about blood clots and clotting disorders has grown in the past decade, many health-care providers at the front line of diagnosis still lack access to it. Sadly, as a result, many patients don’t get a timely and accurate diagnosis.  Almost daily, the National Blood Clot Alliance (NBCA) learns of stories about a missed or incorrect diagnosis.  NBCA's work is aimed at reversing these startling statistics by providing programs of patient education and professional training about the signs, symptoms and prevention of blood clots and clotting disorders.  As a patient-led, voluntary health advocacy organization, NBCA volunteers include many of the nation's foremost experts on blood clots and blood clotting disorders.

By participating in the Blood Clot Awareness 5k Fun Run, and setting up your own fund-raising page, you will have the opportunity to play a crucial part in supporting NBCA's efforts to prevent the deaths and disabilities due to blood clots and clotting disorders.

There are many ways to make a difference:

• Register to run or walk and/or create a personal fund-raising page by visiting: http://www.pathfinderracing.com/stop_the_clot.php
• Can’t participate?  Sign up at http://www.pathfinderracing.com/stop_the_clot.php as a virtual runner!
• Raise funds for National Blood Clot Alliance! You can raise money to support education and public awareness about the risks of blood clots.  Go to https://www.firstgiving.com/nbca/Event/StopTheClotAustin to create your fund-raising page.  Send your page information to your friends and family so that they can support your efforts.  Don’t forget to link to your facebook page and other social media sites.  Or, collect funds payable to National Blood Clot Alliance and bring them to race day or send them to Stop The Clot in Austin, TX c/o National Blood Clot Alliance 120 White Plains Road , Suite 100, Tarrytown, NY 10591.
• Donate to Kara King’s team by visiting https://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/karaking/stop-the-clot-in-austin-texas

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 blood clots, clotting disorders or the activities of the NBCA, contact Judi Kaplan Elkin at jelkin@StopTheClot.org .