Hi All --- 

#PayAttention to the messaging below and please consider a donation.  My heart is filled with gratitude for this life and this opportunity. 

#Awareness and #PatientAdvocacy saves lives.  The prevalence and frequency of blood clots are underappreciated and, thus, misunderstood.  They can be ‘provoked’ due to medication, trauma, surgeries, genetic mutations etc… but they can also be ‘unprovoked’ which means there is no direct link answering the question ‘why?’. 

Blood clots are not just a line-item way down on a risk page – they are, rather a real threat and concern for all walks of life regardless of age, sex, ethnicity, diagnosis etc…If you think hard – you know one or more people that have been affected…

…My Father

My father suffered a blood clot post his second quadruple bypass/valve replacement surgery which resulted in a severe stroke and physical impairment.  After having both carotid arteries fixed prior to surgery – we thought he ‘dodged the ‘blood clot’ bullet as we were never told about this being a potential risk. An obvious risk, of course, in hindsight with the knowledge I have today, but at the time, things were not so clear. There was no post-care coordination. Doctors were siloed as was his care with few available avenues to seek knowledge, advice, support, and direction.

…My Cousin

My cousin was diagnosed with a VTE post a traumatic muscle injury to his leg.  A  self-proclaimed ‘health nut’ – the idea of a blood clot was as foreign as eating meat.  Thanks to his internist who listened, recognized the risk factors and ‘thought outside the box' – he was proactively tested and put on medication before it could become dangerous and potentially fatal.    

…My Dear Friend

A couple of years ago, my dear friend Leslie Lake woke up with troubling symptoms and fortunately listened to her body and went straight to the ER.  The diagnosis was not straightforward – taking more time than it should have (ER blood clot screening should be at the top of the list – standard of care), and the information and recommendations were lacking in both detail, appropriate follow-up, and compassion.  Frustrated, and petrified – she searched for answers and found @NBCA/@StopTheClot  https://www.stoptheclot.org/.  Fast forward -  Today she is Chair of the Board and fervently marshaling the organization forward increasing reach through education, support, and community. 

This is a patient-centric organization  - one which is harnessing the power of connection and advocacy with patients along with medical/scientific professionals in an effort to inform, impact and improve outcomes.   

…Me

I have never run a marathon – in fact, my first 5K was in October 2020 – held virtually benefitting NBCA…prior to this I had never run more than 1 consecutive mile.  I have dedicated the last year to training pushing past my comfort zone and am privileged to have secured a ‘bib’ and a place on @TeamStopTheClot. On November 7^th I will be marking the NYC Marathon’s 50^th anniversary and my first. 

…I run because I passionately believe in #PatientAdvocacy and the importance of community. 

…I run because knowledge is power and knowing the signs and symptoms of blood clots can save lives; Listen to your body – it talks!

…I run because I want the STOP THE CLOT acronym to be as much a part of our lexicon as FAST is for stroke.

Please consider supporting my run.  I will personally be matching up to $5,000. 

EVERY dollar counts; EVERY dollar makes a difference; EVERY dollar yields ever-increasing possibility. https://fundraisers.hakuapp.com/gretchen-piller

Thank you for your support. 

Yours Gratefully, 

Gretchen