Every October 13, the #global health community joins hands to champion a critical cause: #WorldThrombosisDay. This day seeks to spotlight the often-overlooked danger of #thrombosis — the formation of #blood #clots inside vessels — and to empower people with knowledge that can save lives. Through #awareness, #education, and #collective action, we aim to reduce the toll of clot-related #illness and #harm, #worldwide.
History of World Thrombosis Day
The observance of World Thrombosis Day began in 2014, initiated by the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH) as a focused global campaign to raise awareness of thrombosis and related disorders.
The date, October 13, was chosen deliberately: it is the birthday of Rudolf Virchow, the 19th-century German physician and pathologist who first coined the term thrombosis and advanced the foundational understanding of how blood clots form in vessels.
In its early years, ISTH formed a steering committee including experts from around the world (14 countries) to lead the vision and campaign. The inaugural chair of the steering committee was Gary Raskob, PhD, who played a key role from 2014 to 2019 in shaping the initiative.
Since then, World Thrombosis Day has grown every year, attracting support from thrombosis and hemostasis societies, patient advocacy groups, scientific organizations, and health ministries globally.
Importance of World Thrombosis Day
Thrombosis—commonly known as blood clots—underpins many of the world’s deadliest conditions: heart attack, stroke, and venous thromboembolism (VTE). Yet public awareness about clot risks, warning signs, and prevention is low.
Statistically, thrombosis contributes to one in every four deaths worldwide. In Europe alone, about 500,000 deaths annually stem from venous thromboembolism—more than AIDS, breast cancer, prostate cancer, and highway accidents combined.
Moreover, many thrombosis cases are hospital-associated: during or after hospitalization, surgeries, immobilization, or procedures. Preventable deaths from hospital-associated clots represent a major public health gap.
Thus, World Thrombosis Day is vital:
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to bridge the awareness gap among public and health professionals;
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to promote evidence-based prevention and early detection;
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to encourage policy action so that health systems embed clot risk management;
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to empower individuals to assess their own risks, recognize symptoms, and act.
Without a dedicated day, thrombosis could remain a hidden killer, silently contributing to disease burdens.
Significance of World Thrombosis Day
The significance of World Thrombosis Day lies in its multi-layered impact:
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Raising Public Awareness
Many people may never think about blood clots until tragedy strikes. The awareness day serves as a spotlight, making thrombosis part of public discourse. -
Integrating into Health Systems
The campaign pushes for thrombosis risk assessment protocols, hospital policies for prophylaxis, and clinician training. -
Linking to Chronic Diseases
The 2025 theme especially emphasizes how thrombosis intersects with chronic illnesses like cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. -
Empowering Patients and Communities
Through storytelling, local events, educational toolkits, and advocacy, patients and communities become active agents in prevention. -
Global Solidarity and Collaboration
The observance unites stakeholders in over 125 countries (as of recent years) toward a shared mission. -
Driving Research and Policy
As awareness grows, so too does momentum for funding research, improving guidelines, and influencing global health policy priorities.
Thus, World Thrombosis Day is both symbolic and pragmatic: a call to recognize, prevent, and act.
Why World Thrombosis Day Is Celebrated
World Thrombosis Day is commemorated to:
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Educate the public, clinicians, and decisionmakers about risk factors, signs, diagnosis, and prevention of blood clots.
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Stimulate action—prompting people to ask healthcare providers about clot risk, push for hospital prophylaxis, adopt preventive lifestyle habits.
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Foster community engagement—events, campaigns, social media, and advocacy expand the reach of messages.
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Influence policy—encouraging ministries of health and regulatory agencies to adopt clot prevention protocols and integrate thrombosis awareness into national health strategies.
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Memorialize losses and celebrate survivors—sharing stories helps humanize the issue and reduce stigma or ignorance.
In short, it’s celebrated because thrombosis is preventable in many cases, yet remains underrecognized—and this day seeks to change that.
How World Thrombosis Day Is Celebrated
World Thrombosis Day observances take many forms, adapted to local contexts. Some common and impactful ways include:
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Public awareness campaigns
Posters, banners, infographics in hospitals, clinics, public spaces. The global campaign provides toolkits to supporters. -
Webinars, seminars, and “Ask the Expert” sessions
Experts in thrombosis, cardiology, hematology host online or in-person talks. -
Social media & hashtag campaigns
Using hashtags (e.g. #WorldThrombosisDay) and campaigns like #ClotChat, sharing facts, survivor stories, prevention tips. -
Community walks or runs
Some groups hold walks, races, or public gatherings to draw visibility. -
Screening or risk assessment camps
Free or subsidized clot risk evaluation in communities or hospitals. -
Health provider training
Workshops or continuing education to sensitize clinicians about thrombosis guidelines. -
Media outreach
Radio, TV, newspapers run stories, interviews, public service announcements. -
Symbolic acts & art
Use of music, dance, drama, art installations to communicate the “head to toe” message (e.g. turning the children’s song “Head, Shoulders, Knees & Toes” into an awareness tool). -
Distribution of educational materials
Flyers, brochures, posters, videos provided to public, clinics, schools. -
Eco-branding & merchandise
T-shirts, badges, ribbons in awareness colors, to increase visual presence. -
Local partner events
Thrombosis societies, hospitals, patient groups partner to host smaller events suited to local needs. -
Storytelling & survivor voices
Patients share their experiences, raising emotional resonance and motivation.
Various combinations of these methods are used depending on resources, local culture, and public health infrastructure.
Countries / Regions Where World Thrombosis Day Celebrated
World Thrombosis Day has a wide global footprint. The ISTH claims partnership in over 125 countries in recent years.
Some examples:
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Europe — Many national thrombosis and vascular societies in European countries engage in local events.
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North America — U.S. and Canada host campaigns through vascular and hematology groups.
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Asia — Advocacy and awareness in India, China, Southeast Asia, and elsewhere.
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Africa — Countries with limited resources also have involvement through NGOs and local medical societies.
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Latin America & South America — National societies engage in public education.
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Australia & Oceania — Participation through professional and patient networks.
Although exact lists vary year to year, the campaign’s reach is truly global, spanning developed and low-to-middle income countries alike.
In some countries, the observance is more limited (e.g. hospital-level or clinical events), while in others national health agencies or prominent NGOs actively participate.
How Citizens Can Get Involved & Help Make World Thrombosis Day a Success
The success of World Thrombosis Day depends heavily on grassroots and citizen engagement. Here’s how individuals can meaningfully contribute:
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Learn Your Risk & Share It
Understand your personal risk factors (age, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, surgery, cancer, hormonal therapy, etc.). Share this knowledge with friends, family. -
Ask Health Professionals
Ask your doctor whether you should be assessed for clot risk. If hospitalized or undergoing surgery, inquire about prophylaxis. -
Spread Awareness via Social Media
Post facts, stories, prevention tips using the hashtag #WorldThrombosisDay or similar campaign tags. Participate in #ClotChat sessions. -
Join or Organize Local Events
Host or attend awareness sessions, walks, risk-assessment camps, seminars or school programs. -
Distribute Educational Materials
Share brochures or flyers at workplaces, schools, community centers or clinics. -
Advocate Locally
Engage with local health departments, clinics, hospitals to push for thrombosis policies, prophylaxis protocols, clinical education. -
Volunteer
With thrombosis or cardiovascular organizations, to help execute local events or campaigns. -
Share Personal Stories
Survivors or family members can offer powerful testimonials to motivate others. -
Encourage Movement
Because prolonged immobility raises clot risk, promote regular physical activity in your community (walking groups, exercise breaks). -
Fundraise
Raise funds for patient advocacy groups, local awareness campaigns, or research funding. -
Partner with Local Media
Pitch stories or interviews to newspapers, radio, TV in your region to reach larger audiences. -
Involve Schools & Workplaces
Organize brief awareness talks or distribute fact sheets in workplaces or educational institutions.
By combining local grassroots action with global messaging, citizens play a vital role in enhancing the reach and impact of World Thrombosis Day.
Theme for World Thrombosis Day 2025
The 2025–2026 global theme for World Thrombosis Day is:
“From Head to Toe, Take Control: Prevent Thrombosis, Protect Your Health”
This theme underscores a full-body approach to clot prevention. It emphasizes that thrombosis can strike anywhere—from the brain to the legs—and that prevention should be integrated across all health systems and life stages.
It also highlights the links between thrombosis and chronic conditions such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and obesity—encouraging cross-disciplinary awareness and prevention strategies.
The campaign materials and toolkit released by ISTH support this theme, providing ready-to-use resources for partners in different countries.
10 Famous Quotes for World Thrombosis Day
To inspire reflection and action, here are ten quotes (some original, some adapted) around health, awareness, and prevention that suit the spirit of World Thrombosis Day:
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“Awareness is the first line of defense—know your blood, know your risk.”
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“Prevention is powerful; a simple step can save a life.”
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“A silent clot can roar—don’t let thrombosis go unnoticed.”
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“From head to toe, health flows—act before it stops.”
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“Every heartbeat, every vessel: we protect them all.”
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“Speak up, know signs, act early—be your own advocate.”
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“Millions die of hidden clots; let knowledge be our armor.”
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“A moment of awareness can undo a lifetime of damage.”
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“Clots don’t knock—listen to your body, and act.”
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“Together we shine a light on what hides in the veins.”
(These may not all be “famous” in the traditional sense, but they resonate with the message and mission of awareness and action.)
FAQs
Q1. What exactly is thrombosis?
Thrombosis is the formation of a blood clot (thrombus) inside a blood vessel (artery or vein) that obstructs the flow of blood. If a clot dislodges and travels, it may cause serious complications like pulmonary embolism or stroke.
Q2. What is venous thromboembolism (VTE)?
VTE refers to the spectrum including deep vein thrombosis (DVT)—clot in deep veins (often legs)—and pulmonary embolism (PE)—when a clot travels to lungs.
Q3. Who is at risk of thrombosis?
Risk factors include prolonged immobility or bedrest, surgery or trauma, cancer, pregnancy/postpartum period, obesity, smoking, hormonal therapy (e.g. contraceptives), heart disease, age, genetic clotting disorders, infection, dehydration, and more.
Q4. What are warning signs and symptoms?
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For DVT: swelling, pain, warmth, redness in leg or arm.
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For PE: sudden shortness of breath, chest pain, rapid heartbeat, lightheadedness, coughing blood.
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Other arterial clots may cause stroke (sudden weakness, facial droop, speech difficulty) or organ damage.
Q5. Can thrombosis be prevented?
Yes, in many cases. Prevention strategies include staying active, avoiding prolonged immobility, using compression stockings if advised, prophylactic anticoagulation in high-risk settings, hydration, weight control, and managing underlying diseases.
Q6. Is thrombosis always fatal?
No—but untreated clots (especially PE) can be life-threatening. Early diagnosis and treatment significantly reduce risk.
Q7. How is thrombosis treated?
Treatment may include anticoagulant (blood-thinning) medications, thrombolysis in severe cases, mechanical interventions (e.g. clot retrieval), compression therapy, and addressing underlying causes.
Q8. How can I check my risk level?
Healthcare professionals may use risk assessment tools (especially in hospital settings) considering factors like surgery, cancer, immobility, comorbid conditions. You can ask your physician for evaluation.
Q9. Why isn’t there more public awareness?
Multiple reasons: thrombosis is less visible, symptoms may be vague, many don’t relate clotting to broader diseases, and historically priority has been given to more well-known conditions like heart disease or cancer.
Q10. Can younger people get thrombosis?
Yes. While risk increases with age, clotting disorders, surgery, long travel, hormone therapies, or certain conditions can put younger individuals at risk.
Conclusion
As we observe World Thrombosis Day on October 13, 2025, the message is clear: From head to toe, take control. Each of us—patients, caregivers, clinicians, policymakers, and citizens—holds a piece of the solution. Awareness is not just a slogan; it is a lifeline.
Thrombosis is no mere medical abstraction—it can devastate lives, disrupt families, and impose a heavy toll on health systems. But it is also preventable, treatable, and manageable—if we shine the light, equip people with knowledge, embed prevention into systems, and act collectively.
World Thrombosis Day is more than symbolic. It’s an invitation to speak up, to ask questions, to change practice, and to protect lives. Let us transform awareness into action, global intention into local change, and shared knowledge into survival.
Together, on this #WorldThrombosisDay, let us commit—head to toe—to prevention, vigilance, and life.
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Someshwar Chowdhury is a seasoned Chartered Mechanical Engineer, Educator, and Technology enthusiast with over a decade of experience in engineering education and consultancy. Someshwar is also an active blogger, trainer, and member of professional bodies like ISHRAE and GREEN ADD+. When not teaching or consulting, he enjoys blogging, music, and exploring green technologies.
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