Moving against thrombosis: ISTH recognizes 10th anniversary of World Thrombosis Day and the leaders in the field who led the way - in memory of Claire McLintock, MD, World Thrombosis Day Steering Committee Vice Chair 2019 to 2022.

More than 10 years ago, an identified need came to life through the dedication of the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH) Council. Together, they envisioned a global movement that would shed light on the burden of thrombosis and highlight the significance of awareness, prevention, and treatment. Thus, World Thrombosis Day (WTD) was established on October 13, the birthday of Rudolf Virchow. Led by a Steering Committee of passionate visionaries from 14 countries, the campaign officially launched in 2014 under the guidance of WTD’s founding Steering Committee Chair, Gary Raskob, PhD, now Senior Vice President and Provost at the University of Oklahoma in the United States. As the inaugural chair from 2014 to 2019, Raskob worked to ensure that the campaign was founded on published data and knowledge. The committee called attention to the startling statistic that 1 in 4 people globally dies of conditions related to thrombosis each year [[1]Raskob G.E. Angchaisuksiri P. Blanco A.N. Buller H. Gallus A. Hunt B.J. Hylek E.M. Kakkar A. Konstantinides S. McCumber M. Ozaki Y. Wendelboe A. Weitz J.I. Thrombosis: a major contributor to global disease burden.J Thromb Haemost. 2014; 12: 1580-1590Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (308) Google Scholar] and, together with the committee, issued a powerful call to action to “Know Thrombosis” and “Keep Life Flowing.” The campaign continued to grow during this time, utilizing social media as an important channel for communication. WTD also incorporated a strong media program, integrating media outreach, journalist meet-and-greets, press releases, video assets, and patient stories, to illustrate the condition, the importance of prevention, and the need for mandated venous thromboembolism risk assessments in hospitals. “WTD has been instrumental in raising awareness about the burden of thrombosis and the importance of prevention and treatment,” said Raskob. “We have made great progress over the past 10 years with important research conducted and knowledge contributed, but there is still much work to do to ensure that people are aware and health care professionals know how to diagnose and treat this dangerous condition.” WTD published data in 2014 [[1]Raskob G.E. Angchaisuksiri P. Blanco A.N. Buller H. Gallus A. Hunt B.J. Hylek E.M. Kakkar A. Konstantinides S. McCumber M. Ozaki Y. Wendelboe A. Weitz J.I. Thrombosis: a major contributor to global disease burden.J Thromb Haemost. 2014; 12: 1580-1590Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (308) Google Scholar] on the burden of thrombotic disease, in addition to the campaign’s first public awareness survey. These projects were significant milestones in the development of the campaign. The article revealed the high prevalence and mortality rates associated with thrombosis, and the survey, conducted in 9 countries, showed significant lack of knowledge of deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, and venous thromboembolism, supporting the campaign’s mandate to address this public health concern. Beverley Hunt, MD, OBE, a distinguished professor at King’s College, London, United Kingdom, and former Chair of the WTD Steering Committee (2019-2022), brought her research prowess and advocacy to the campaign. As a renowned hematologist with an impressive publication record, Hunt worked on the frontline during the COVID-19 pandemic. Her work and research resulted in articles on treatment guidelines, best practices, and public health messages to enhance the lives of those affected by thrombosis. During her tenure, the ISTH and WTD campaign collaborated closely with the World Health Organization Patient Safety Group, jointly aiming to increase global awareness and prevention of hospital-associated thrombosis. “Thrombosis can affect anyone, regardless of age or gender, and may go undiagnosed without appropriate attention,” Hunt said. “By increasing knowledge and understanding of thrombosis among health care professionals, policymakers, and the general public, we can work together to save lives and improve patient outcomes.” Lana Castellucci, MD, MSc, Associate Professor in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Ottawa, and current WTD Steering Committee Chair, is passionate about her role to inspire new research, empower patients, and encourage the development of new treatment options. Excited to recognize the 10th anniversary of the campaign, Castellucci capitalizes on understanding the signs, symptoms, and risk factors of thrombosis as well as the importance of prevention. Lana shares, “Preventing blood clots is crucial for good health. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle that includes regular exercise, a balanced diet, and avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption can help. Those at higher risk may need medications or devices. These steps reduce the risk of dangerous blood clots and protect overall health.” In 2022, WTD achieved remarkable global reach, surpassing 10.5 billion people [[2]International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (2022). World Thrombosis Day.www.worldthrombosisday.org/Date: 2015Date accessed: May 15, 2023Google Scholar]. The impact report reveals the campaign’s effectiveness in utilizing social media platforms, generating 540 million impressions, whereas traditional media outreach led to 146 million impressions. Additionally, videos produced by WTD garnered 662 667 views, displaying the power of visual content in raising awareness. WTD also emphasized the importance of patient stories, with over 250 stories of perseverance shared. Despite these accomplishments, the campaign continues to grow and is dedicated to prioritizing efforts for the prevention and treatment of thrombosis. As the WTD campaign celebrates its 10th anniversary, we invite you to join us. We can make a greater impact by celebrating progress, inspiring new ideas, and working toward reducing the incidence, morbidity, and mortality of this life-threatening condition. Together, we can make a positive change and ensure a brighter future for those affected by thrombosis. There are no competing interests to disclose.