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Our historyPublications
Why Lifeblood: The Thrombosis Charity
was founded
Dr Beverley J Hunt is a leading NHS Consultant Haematologist specialising in the care of patients with thrombotic problems. Here she explains the reasoning that led to the establishment of Lifeblood: The Thrombosis Charity.
During my time as a Consultant Haematologist I have seen many changes in the way we think about how the blood system clots and the way we look at patients at risk from thrombosis.
Indeed, we know that thrombosis occurs in virtually all medical specialities, and so we could say that it is the commonest cause of death in this country. But there still appears to be a knowledge gap in what we know about thrombosis and in what many people understand about the condition.
Perhaps one of the problems is that when doctors are trained at medical school, the subject of blood clotting is not taught in great depth. Also, most of the greatest advances in understanding thrombosis have occurred since many doctors went to medical school.
Recent publicity on 'travellers' thrombosis' has helped to raise the profile of this condition. It is important for the general public to be educated about thrombosis – and to understand that the risks can be reduced simply by leading a healthier lifestyle.
Another major frustration is the enormous difficulty in obtaining funding for research into thrombosis, especially for clinical studies. Grant applications are often returned because thrombosis does not fit into the objectives of the fund holders. I come across many colleagues who have tried to get research funds in the specialist area of thrombosis, and they all tell the same story – a lack of success.
And finally, there were no charities supporting research into thrombosis.
For the last few years I have been collaborating on a number of thrombosis research studies with Professor Alan Moody, a Radiologist in Nottingham. I have also met with others who have family and close friends affected by thrombosis.
And so it became obvious that something must be done about this situation. We all felt strongly that two important issues needed to be addressed: improving medical and general knowledge of thrombosis, and raising funds for research into thrombosis.
We firmly believed that to reach our goal, we needed to involve doctors from as many different branches of medicine as possible.
We approached and gathered together like-minded people, including Professor Lesley Regan, an Obstetrician; Professor Ted Tuddenham, a leading academic researcher in the field of haemostasis; and Mr Shane McSweeney, a Vascular Surgeon.
All were very supportive of our aims and objectives, and readily agreed to become our Council of Reference. We were joined by Brian Gardner, who agreed to take on the role of Chairman.
And so Lifeblood: The Thrombosis Charity was born. Shortly afterwards, two others became trustees of the charity: Professor John Hampton, a cardiologist; and Simon Hart, an accountant who has in-depth knowledge of the charity sector.
In our first year we have grown from a group of individuals
with an idea and a vision, to a charity that has raised money to fund a small
research study and begun the process of raising awareness among both public
and professionals alike. We plan to do much more!
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Copyright
© Lifeblood: The Thrombosis Charity 2003-2006. A
company limited by guarantee. Registered Company No: 4354472.
Registered Charity No: 1090540
