World Thrombosis Day honors 2023 global advocacy award winners

The ISTH proudly recognizes the 2023 recipients of its global thrombosis advocacy awards for the World Thrombosis Day (WTD) campaign.

The WTD awards program honors individuals and organizations from around the world who are making a difference in thrombosis awareness. The awards are dedicated to inspiring partners and organizations and sharing appreciation for the hard work of thrombosis awareness change-makers across the globe. The 2024 awards is now accepting nominations; learn more below about submitting a nomination.

Last year, the award program launched a new offering of two categories for the Activity of the Year Award: Activity of the Year Award for a High-Income Country and an Activity of the Year Award for an ISTH Reach-the-World Country (as classified by the World Bank). The new award categories provide an opportunity to recognize WTD partner organizations’ efforts and activities, regardless of economic status or resources.

The WTD 2023 advocacy award winners are as follows:

• Patient Ambassador of the Year: Ann Marie O’Neill (Ireland)
  After surviving multiple blood clots, Ann Marie realized Ireland was in need of a national thrombosis and awareness support group of its own to help patients and survivors just like herself.  In 2016, she founded Thrombosis Ireland, a not-for-profit organization focused on promoting thrombosis awareness among patients, healthcare professionals and the public. O’Neill has organized countless awareness events and activities across Ireland. Thrombosis Ireland is regarded as an international leader in thrombosis awareness, advocacy and prevention.
  
  
• Activity of the Year (High-Income Country): Anticoagulation Forum (U.S.)
  As a longtime WTD campaign partner, the Anticoagulation Forum’s thrombosis awareness activities included a successful webinar series with 11 sessions, Boot Camps and updated thrombosis guidance and educational materials. Established more than 30 years ago, the Anticoagulation Forum is the largest organization of its kind helping practitioners improve patient care by providing current and relevant information on best practices.

• Activity of the Year (Reach-the-World Country): MedExpert Ukraine (Ukraine)
  Amid uncertain times in Ukraine, MedExpert faced new challenges in order to host its sixth annual scientific conference in recognition of WTD. The online educational conference ended up being streamed from a bomb shelter with minimal energy sources. Despite this, the educational event was a success with more than 10,000 online participants, primarily healthcare professionals.
   
• Activity of the Year – Honorable mention: National VTE Prevention Program (China)
  WTD recognizes the National VTE Prevention Program of China as an honorable mention awardee. It hosted a national scientific conference on the topic of thrombosis prevention and management, as well as collaborated with 1,200 hospitals in China to participate in the National VTE Prevention Program.

Nominations are now open for 2024 awards season

You are invited to submit an award nomination! Submit a nomination for yourself, your organization or someone you know. The WTD advocacy awards are accepting nominations until July 15, 2024.

This is a great way to recognize the hard work of members of your community, healthcare system, university or local advocacy organization.

Visit www.worldthrombosisday.org/awards/ to learn more about the award categories and submit a nomination.