Publisher: National Blood Clot Alliance

The National Blood Clot Alliance (NBCA) Vision The National Blood Clot Alliance (NBCA) sees a future in which the number of people suffering and dying from blood clots in the United States is reduced significantly. Mission The National Blood Clot Alliance (NBCA) is a non-profit, voluntary health organization dedicated to advancing the prevention, early diagnosis and successful treatment of life-threatening blood clots such as deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism and clot-provoked stroke. NBCA works on behalf of people who may be susceptible to blood clots, including, but not limited to, people with clotting disorders, atrial fibrillation, cancer, traumatic injury, and risks related to surgery, lengthy immobility, child birth and birth control. NBCA accomplishes its mission through programs that build public awareness, educate patients and healthcare professionals and promote supportive public and private sector policy. Organization The National Blood Clot Alliance (NBCA) is a patient-led, voluntary health advocacy organization. NBCA volunteers include many of the nation’s foremost experts on blood clots and blood clotting disorders. NBCA programs include patient education and professional training on the signs, symptoms and prevention of blood clots and clotting disorders. NBCA combines the unique perspectives of healthcare providers, individuals afflicted with clotting disorders and community leaders who are passionate about this healthcare crisis. NBCA’s Medical and Scientific Advisory Board (MASAB) includes nationally recognized experts on thrombosis and thrombophilia. Click here read MASAB bios. Editing of educational site content is managed by Barbara L. Kornblau , Director Health Learning and Patient Engagement under the guidance of the Medical and Scientific advisory board. The National Blood Clot Alliance is headquartered in Rockville, MD. Click here to view bios of the professional staff. Stop The Clot® Programs and Partnerships Stop the clotNBCA works closely with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), thrombophilia centers, anticoagulation clinics, hemophilia treatment centers and the National Hemophilia Foundation on its Stop-the-Clot™ Education Project, whose components include: Stop-the-Clot Forum -Click here for our calendar of events. Stop-the-Clot Support Groups – Click here for our calendar of events. The Clotting Information and Resource Center – Click here. Educational Brochures Click here. Train-the-Trainer workshops for healthcare professionals Regional workshops for healthcare professionals The Founding of NBCA Although the organization is growing quickly and establishing regional chapters, it has retained its grassroots character; NBCA board members and volunteers are like part of an extended family. Our founding members were patients and medical professionals attending a thrombosis and thrombophilia workshop at The Centers for Disease Control in 2003. Sharing a common concern, they resolved to build a national organization to advocate for – and to educate and support — those afflicted with clotting disorders. Each board member has been touched personally by blood clots, DVTs, pulmonary embolism or such genetic variants as the factor V Leiden gene mutation. NBCA’s Objectives Even though specialized knowledge about thrombosis and thrombophilia has mushroomed in the past decade, many healthcare providers at the front line of diagnosis still lack access to it. This means many of their patients don’t get timely and accurate diagnosis. Resources for care exist that should be better used. The National Blood Clot Alliance addresses major treatment issues to: Prevent thrombosis and its complications. Reduce death and illness related to thrombosis. Assist in establishing guidelines for prevention, treatment, and management of blood clots. Promote funding for and establishment of comprehensive thrombophilia programs to allow every patient access to thrombosis specialists within a reasonable distance where patients live. Promote and assist scientists with research efforts relating to all aspects of thrombosis and thrombophilia. Encourage activities to increase the number of specialists in thrombosis and thrombophilia, such as endowing training fellowships. Initiate and promote educational activities for the medical and patient community, and for the public. Create a network of self-funded local chapters to improve the quality of life for patients/families through appropriate support.