Living With Thrombosis & Thrombophilia: Our Stories

Blood clots and genetic predispositions to clotting disorders can have serious lifelong consequences for patients… and for their families and friends. Click on the links below to read personal stories about coping with these conditions.

Find out how you can share your story and help us build a network of support by clicking here.

Cindy Kos resides in Boston, MA were she is completing a graduate degree in medical sciences and will soon be applying to medical schools in hopes of pursing a career in cardiology.  Read Cindy's Story

Lori Preston, Vice President of NATT, shares her story as a woman who first learned of her inherited clotting disorder during pregnancy.  Read Lori's story.

Elizabeth Varga, one of NATT's Directors and Chair of the Education and Communication Committees, shares her story of learning that she has the factor V Leiden gene mutation. Read Elizabeth's story.

Laura Zain, from Livonia, Michigan shares her story, "A Journey with Kyle" about her son, age 17, who survived a blood clot to his brain.  He was later found to have extremely elevated homocysteine levels.- Read Laura's story.

Janine Swiatkowski is a 41-year-old Sports Web Editor for ocregister.com from Santa Ana, CA who enjoys active outdoors pursuits like running, hiking, rollerblading and snowboarding.  Read Janine's story.

Nicole Giardina of San Dimas California shares her story of cerebral venous thrombosis which she developed after the birth of her daughter, Natalie.  Read Nicole's story.

Deirdre Callahan is an avid triathlete who lives in Mentor, OH. She became involved with "NATT Clotbuster" activities and is helping to fundraise for the organization. Here she shares why NATT means so much to her.  Read Deirdre's story.