Hi!
My name is Natalia, and I am running the New York City
Marathon this year, fundraising for Team Stop The Clot and the National Blood
Clot Alliance. This cause is near and dear to my heart since I had a double
pulmonary embolism in 2019 at 29 years old. I believe awareness is key, as I'd
never thought it was even remotely possible that I'd have a blood clot being so
young and in perfect health.
While training for my 3rd marathon, I felt very off during a
20-mile training run, like I couldn't breathe. I sat on the ground for around
an hour and then decided to just push through it. I simply attributed it to
inadequate nutrition or lack of preparation. Still, I remember calling my best
friend and crying that I just had such a bad run and begging for her to fly and
come to the race. A couple of days later, I had the same feeling while dancing
at a wedding. Since I also had a cold, I thought I had bronchitis and went to
the urgent care. An amazing urgent care nurse wanted to rule everything out and
sent me to the ER just in case, but said bronchitis was the most probable
cause. I went back to work, very annoyed that I didn't get any treatment or
medicine. Thanks to some very insistent coworkers I did end up going to the ER
after work.
Later that night, I was hospitalized for a double pulmonary
embolism. I kept being told by all the doctors and nurses that it was a miracle
that I even made it to the ER and got there just in time. If I hadn't been a
runner, I would likely have felt significantly worse. During my recovery, and
because I wanted to go back to running, I researched a lot, and the NBCA, its
resources, and its community ended up being extremely helpful.
The NYC Marathon has been a dream race for me for a while,
and running it a week after the 2nd anniversary of my PE will be extra
significant for me. Please consider donating and following along on my journey!
This year celebrates the 50th running of the TCS New York
City Marathon and the 10th year for Team Stop The Clot as an Official Charity
Partner. We’re proud of our history, and even more proud of our nearly 70
runners who crossed the finish line, raising over $325,000 and bringing blood
clot awareness to their family, friends, and people all across the country,
including thousands of spectators along the marathon course. Did you know, on
average, one person dies every six minutes from a blood clot? Don’t be one of
them. Blood clots can be prevented. Understand the risks. Know the signs and
symptoms. Thank you for visiting our page and contributing to the fundraising
efforts of one or more of our team members. They're working hard training and
fundraising, and they are helping the National Blood Clot Alliance make a
difference every single day!
