Walking for Life: A Campaign to Raise Awareness and Prevent Pulmonary Embolism

Walk to Stop the Clot Raises Awareness for Pulmonary Embolism

Written by | July 21, 2023

In a heartfelt effort to raise awareness about the dangers of blood clots, Donna Brovender is organizing a Walk to Stop the Clot in Aspen on Sunday. This event, organized in memory of her daughter Ali Senser, who tragically passed away from a pulmonary embolism at the age of 35, aims to educate the community about the risks, prevention, and treatment of blood clots.

A Personal Tragedy Turns into a Mission

Donna Brovender’s world was shattered when her daughter, Ali Senser, died from a pulmonary embolism just two days after giving birth. Determined not to let the tragedy go in vain, Brovender delved into understanding the dangers of blood clots and sought to raise awareness. She joined forces with the National Blood Clot Alliance (NBCA) and organized the Walk to Stop the Clot event.

Brovender’s connection with blood clots didn’t end with her daughter’s passing. She herself experienced a pulmonary embolism and was lucky enough to recognize the symptoms and seek immediate medical attention. She credits her daughter for saving her life and believes that raising awareness is crucial to ensuring that others can recognize the warning signs.

The Importance of Awareness

According to Dr. Caroline Mears, an internist with Aspen Valley Primary Care, most pulmonary embolisms stem from deep vein thromboses, leading to 100,000 deaths per year in the United States alone. While pulmonary embolisms can be life-threatening, having knowledge about the condition, risk factors, and preventative measures can make a significant difference in saving lives.

By organizing the Walk to Stop the Clot, Brovender hopes to shine a spotlight on the risks associated with blood clots and encourage individuals to educate themselves. The event will feature talks by Dr. Mears and Gabe Muething, the Chief of Emergency Medical Services at Aspen Ambulance District, where they will discuss blood clot risks, prevention, and treatment options.

The Challenge of Diagnosis

Identifying a pulmonary embolism can be challenging, as the symptoms are often vague and easily dismissed. Gabe Muething highlights the importance of not writing off symptoms such as difficulty breathing or passing out, as these could be indicators of a pulmonary embolism. Early diagnosis is crucial, as it significantly improves the chances of a successful recovery.

The Walk to Stop the Clot aims to increase awareness about this condition and emphasize the importance of early treatment. Muething explains that with early intervention, the mortality rate drops from 30% to just 8%. By empowering individuals with knowledge about the risks, symptoms, and how to seek prompt medical attention, lives can be saved.

Uniting Against Blood Clots

This walk is not only about remembering Ali Senser but also about uniting communities against the threat of pulmonary embolism. The event welcomes everyone, irrespective of their background or status. As Donna Brovender aptly puts it, “It does not discriminate.” With a statistic from NBCA revealing that 274 people die from blood clots each day, it becomes even more critical to raise awareness and encourage proactive measures.

Join the Walk to Stop the Clot

If you want to be a part of this important event and contribute to raising awareness about the dangers of blood clots, join the Walk to Stop the Clot on Sunday, July 23. Check-in begins at 9 a.m., and the walk commences at 10 a.m. The event will start at JCC Aspen, located at 435 West Main Street.

To register for the walk, visit donate.stoptheclot.org/aspenwalk23.

Be proactive, educate yourself and your loved ones, because knowledge truly is a matter of life or death when it comes to pulmonary embolism.